Disclaimer: All Harry Potter characters and story affiliations mentioned in this fan fiction all belong to JK Rowling and legal associations. I own nothing of it nor am I profiting from it now or planning too in the future in any way. The only exception of profit is to my self for literary improvement.
Author to Reader Note: I will be using tarot cards. Please realize I know next to nothing about tarot cards. All I know is they have pictures and indicate different things. So if you know I'm wrong I concede to that and ask that I receive the benefit of ignorance.
Revised 7/17/03
Harry Potter and the Turmoil Within
Chapter 10
Bite of the Badger
"Go to the Hospital wing Mr. Fletchley, have the nurse look at that, "said McGonagall to Justin.
Justin was holding his shoulder and not moving the arm, injured in the chaotic moments of the void spell.
"Go with him Ms. Lanea," continued the Professor.
Harry, Ron and Hermione stood with Daken talking, now that the Great Hall was empty of studentermione s. The Professors were about in small groups of students consoling frightened new years and checking for injuries. The rumor was that someone was playing a joke and it gone terribly wrong. Many students in the initial moments thanked Harry for freeing them and as usual the newer ones had taken a moment to see the scar of the young hero but Harry seemed to not mind it for the moment.
"Harry, "began Ron excitedly, "How did you do that?"
"That was strong magic Harry," said Daken with obvious suspicion," I've never seen anyone blast through doors sealed with the void spell before. I'd like to know where you've been hiding that kind of power."
"I want to know how you knew we were in trouble," asked Hermione?
Harry looked around at everyone's faces wondering where to begin. Harry shrugged his shoulders and coughed before answering.
"Well, I was asleep in the dormitory and I woke up when the window banged open from the wind, " answered Harry, pausing to cough a few times, "I was going to shut it and go back to sleep but I suddenly remembered the feast and."
Harry started coughing more.
"So you came down and realized something was up," finished Daken.
Ron and Hermione watched Daken's brow raise in curiosity as he kept his brown eyes fixed on Harry.
"Harry, why are you…" began Hermione but she stopped as blood drops hit the floor.
Harry's coughing intensified and blood fell from his mouth.
A moment later he fell forward, caught in the process by Ron, and passed out.
"Dumbledore," screamed Hermione!
All was dark again as the maze came into blurry view.
Harry stood there again in the numbing cold, trying to decide whether to walk forward or go in the opposite direction.
"Damn, "whispered Harry," Which way am I suppose to go?"
Why go anywhere.
"Who said that," shouted Harry!
This was a new voice to him but oddly familiar as well. Icy hatred dripped from each word and loathing filled its voice.
I am no stranger to you… look at me when I speak to you.
Harry turned to see the glowing, fiery blood red eyes again. There was a new difference this time. The eyes did not float towards him but stayed in place and a figure was visible in the darkness to which the eyes remained with.
"What do you want? Why do you keep bringing me here, "demanded Harry?
The creature laughed suggesting superior knowledge.
I do not bring you here, that task you do to yourself… as for what I want you know that already.
"I don't know you and I wouldn't want to be here," shouted Harry angrily.
The laugh came again.
Why is good always so ignorant?
You trapped yourself here as you shackled me a long time ago…
But not much longer, my shackles are breaking as your barriers fall. You've already felt what I can do at this point.
In time, the world will know the full force.
"I won't let you escape whatever this is," replied Harry.
The creature was silent for a moment.
I don't want to escape… alone.
Let me join you… Together we will escape and be free what of binds us.
"Why should I," whispered Harry.
Harry was getting scared; this thing was just too familiar with him.
Why?
With me all will be unleashed, your power and mine. I will help you to be free of all barriers and from you I get freedom.
I will guide you to gain all your… earthly desires.
Together we will make all even our enemies cower in loyalty or be obliterated in conquest
Wind breezed in around Harry from behind. It was warm and encircled him. He could feel it gently pull him away from the creature.
Protecting him still are we? You should know he wants this as much as I do.
He cannot be guided away from me
The wind encircled faster and its pulling force intensified.
Harry felt the world starting to change but before one last thing was said.
With us together you can have… her… in many ways.
Harry sat up in his bed, a freezing cold chill down his spine as the breeze blew in on him from the window.
Harry looked to see that Ron sat by him, concern strong on his face and questions clear in his eyes.
A few more turns of his head showed Harry that he was in his four posted bed in the boys' dormitory of Gryffindor tower.
"What time is it, "spoke Harry.
"Almost lunch,"stated Ron.
Harry fell back onto his pillow as the realization of where and when he was set into his mind.
"I've missed morning classes," responded Harry, "Great."
"Everyone did… Dumbledore delayed everything until tomorrow while the Hall is repaired and the Ministry does their investigating," stated Ron.
Ron's voice was platonic and his expression never changed. This was something Ron didn't do, which was being completely serious and it worried Harry.
"What's up with you," asked Harry.
Ron stared at him a moment before answering, "You were hissing again."
"I was speaking Parseltongue?"
"Almost all night, the others got too freaked out and slept in the Common room, "answered Ron, "Hermione's putting the librarian through hell right now."
"Sounds like what she'd do."
Ron hadn't moved but narrowed eyes. His expression was still serious and seemed to be waiting for something.
"What now?"
"Are you going to tell me what you're hissing about," answered Ron, "What you're dreaming?"
Harry lay silent, not sure whether to answer and not even sure of what the answer would be. Overall Harry realized he didn't want to tell Ron, it was all just too much right now.
"I don't really know," lied Harry.
Ron shifted an eyebrow before shaking his head with a disapproving grin.
"It must really be bad if you won't even tell me, "responded Ron.
"Look Ron, I don't know how to…" began Harry as he sat up.
He wanted to tell Ron something but that thing was right about his feelings. Harry did want something from it. He couldn't tell Ron, not anyone, not yet.
Ron seemed to sense that Harry was debating the issue and decided to try a new tact.
"Harry there's something I think you should know," spoke Ron quietly, "About Hermione…"
Ron didn't get to finish as the door to the room slammed opened and Hermione bounded in.
"Harry you're awake? Are you feeling better? Do you remember what happened, "rattled Hermione happily?
Hermione leaned exceptionally close to Harry in her interrogation of his health. She was only inches from him, a fact not unnoticed by Harry while Ron gave a quick snicker to the scene. Hermione's was wearing some kind of perfume, which flirted with Harry's sense of smell and made his whole body suddenly relaxed.
Hermione quickly took a breath in her questioning, Ron in the meantime had acquired another chair with his wand and Hermione sat down very close to Harry.
They continued to talk openly as always before but Ron kept the talk of Harry's dreams and the hissing quiet by changing the subject. Harry began to suspect that Ron knew more than he was letting on. Hermione didn't seem to let on her knowledge of anything; she only kept watching Harry's every move and noting his every word. Every now and then Harry could see that she was saying one thing but her face showed she thought differently.
-They're waiting for me to say something, -thought Harry, -This conversation is just filler. -
After a few minutes of talking, Hermione took a hold of Harry's hand and although he felt thrilled by every sensation in the touch, Harry pulled away at a single thought of his nightmare surfaced.
Every earthly desire…yours…
Harry got up off the bed on the opposite side of his friends. Harry kept his look towards the floor as he walked by.
"I think we should see about lunch, I haven't eaten since yesterday," announced Harry trying to sound casual but a hint of panic in his voice that was noticed.
Ron could see a hurt look cross Hermione's face and he moved to stand while waiting for her.
"You know I'm sure he didn't…" began Ron but Hermione stood up and walked out of the room.
Ron walked towards the door with one last look towards the back of the room.
"I'm sure someone has a theory or two about what's going on in his head," said Ron to the room before leaving.
"I do have a theory but not about his head… it's his heart," answered Daken as he stepped from the shadow beside the closet, "You're getting better Ron."
The rest of the day continued much as expected. Students went about with conversation and playing of games. Many congratulated Harry on saving them. New students spoke among themselves as Harry walked by, some trying to see his scar. Girls acted the same as many did in Diagon Alley, giggling amongst them-selves and occasionally making an introduction. Hermione was shooting daggered glances at each of them.
Harry barely reacted to anyone or anything. He kept his attention only to Ron and Hermione, everyone else hardly got much noticed.
Ron did notice one thing strange.
"I know this is going to sound odd but where is Malfoy," said Ron, "I haven't seen him since… I don't know when?"
Harry thought a second and answered, "You're right that's odd?"
"Maybe he transferred," added Hermione?
They went to dinner at the repaired Great Hall; thankfully no incidents occurred before going to bed.
Upon leaving the hall Harry ran into Justin.
"How's the shoulder," inquired Harry.
Justin just glared at Harry and stalked off not even answering.
"That was weird," remarked Ron.
Back in the common room, they sat in their circle quietly. Their topics of idle conversation exhausted.
They were sipping their pumpkin juice. Hermione had used magic along with spices to heat the pumpkin juice and make it a hot drink. Harry really liked it, especially since it made him sleepy and light headed.
Hermione was watching Harry as he drank the altered pumpkin juice. Harry wasn't able to realize this as his head bobbed in a drowsy state.
"We better help him to bed," whispered Hermione.
"I can get him," Ron whispered, "Who knew that warm pumpkin juice would put him out."
Hermione remained where she was continuing to sip her juice as she watched Ron hoist Harry to his feet and practically drag him upstairs to the dorm.
-No dreams tonight Harry, -remarked Hermione to herself as she set her mug down and went to her own dormitory.
As she walked up the stairs to the girls' fifth year level she stopped near the boys' door. She remembered how Harry had been looking at her before and what Mrs. Weasley said.
"Do you feel the same about me," whispered Hermione to the door as if it were he.
The next morning Hermione found that Ron and Harry were in the common room waiting for her. Together they went to breakfast to get their schedules for classes.
Professor McGonagall walked about passing out schedules to the Gryffindor students. Hermione was pleased with hers but Ron and Harry groaned at theirs. Apparently they had double Divination all morning and double Transfiguration in the afternoon.
"We spend the morning with the craziest teacher then the afternoon with the strictest one of them all, "whined Ron.
"Could be worse," remarked Harry," We could have Divination and then double Potions."
Breakfast ended and the group split to go to their classes. Harry and Ron climbed their way to the high tower of Trelawney's class.
Ron and Harry decided to do a different tact and sit as far from the teacher this year as possible. Unfortunately others seemed to have the same idea, as did the Ravenclaws that shared this morning's schedule with the Gryffindors. The two boys ended up in the middle of the class.
"Good morning my students," greeted Professor Trelawney," We will begin with Tarot card readings this term. So get them out, you'll find the card packs inside your books among other things."
Harry pulled his wrapped Divination book from his bag and tore it open. The book was black with no title on the cover or spine. He opened the cover to find a pack of cards, a small bronze bowl, a small sealed green package and tiny needle.
Trelawney began to explain the tuning of the tarot cards.
"Now to do Tarot card reading properly the cards must be in tune with the person that they will be reading. To start with set the bronze bowl before you…"
The students set the bowl in front of themselves.
"Good now take the needle and prick your finger, do not fear the needles are charmed to remain sterile always. Then let at least three drops of your blood fall into the bowl…"
Some people did this quickly, others took their time, and some were on the point of tears. Ron was extremely nervous and began fidgeting with something inside of his robes. Harry had little time to notice as Trelawney was watching intently. She obviously was anxious to see what would happen for him in this Tarot reading.
Harry pricked his finger and let a few drops fall into the bowl.
Eventually all the students had finished that part.
"Excellent now open the sealed package but be careful you don't want to waste the powder inside… Mr. Longbottom let the young lady next to you open it."
A blonde Ravenclaw girl next to Neville opened the package for him. Harry realized he'd seen the girl before but he couldn't remember and since Ron was staring at her as well, Ron must be thinking the same thing.
"We are nearly done preparing. Take a pinch of the powder, do not worry Longbottom there is no too much or too little, and sprinkle it on the blood in your bowls."
Harry watch as the green powder fell from his fingers sizzled as it touched the blood. A puff of smoke left the bowl a moment later leaving a white powder in place of the blood. Ron had an odd fire red color for his.
Trelawney glided her way to Harry's table and saw the powder. She said nothing but an odd curiosity crossed her face.
"Now to finish, spread your cards into a pile and use the bowl to sprinkle the mixture onto the cards. Now you must be very careful to get only your powder on your cards."
As the students did this, the cards glowed whatever color the powder had been for a moment.
"The last is to gather them and shuffle them into a stack."
Everyone took a minute to gather their cards as Trelawney instructed them.
"The next step is what is most important of all, the pattern of arrangement."
Trelawney produced her wand from the end of her long sleeve and conjured a cushion at Harry's table. She sat herself down and looked eagerly at Harry's cards.
"Turn to page five in your books, it will show you by the numbers how to arrange your cards. Except you Mr. Potter, we shall do your first reading together."
"Lay four cards in front of you; remember all cards must be face down to begin with. Arrange these four cards to be in corners of a square. Adjust them as we lay more cards down later."
Shuffling was heard as students lay cards down and Trelawney watched Harry do his.
"Now between these spaces of the corner cards, place three more. The order does not matter. In the end you will have sixteen cards creating a square, remember to keep your original four cards as the corners."
Minutes went by as more cards were placed down and students murmured amongst themselves while checking their books.
"To finish the placement of cards, draw one last card and place it in the center of the square."
As Harry placed his last card, Trelawney watched his every movement. She reminded him strongly of students he had seen in Honeydukes eyeing the candy as the proprietor moved it.
-What is so important about my cards, -thought Harry?
"Turn over the top right corner card. The corner cards represent your inner circle; these cards represent those closest to your life. This first card represents who protects you."
Harry turned over the said card; it was labeled Fire and had a moving image a fire crackling. Apparently Tarot cards moved like pictures did in the magic world.
"The Element of Fire card, impressive, someone powerful and loyal protects you. Fire is fiercely loyal and lethal when unleashed. The person represented by this element in your life is someone opposing forces will have serious difficulty contending with as it will be someone unyielding… now turn over the top left corner card."
Harry continued as instructed turning his next card, which was labeled Earth, and presented a picture of blooming flowers that encircled a faceless figure.
"This card represents that person who embraces you… Harry you have the element card Earth… odd Earth and Fire are rarely seen in the same circles as they oppose each other… the Earth is a loving force and embraces the heart. This is usually someone with whom you have a very personal relationship with or want to anyways. This is also a powerful person as they are one who can keep your heart safe from opposing forces. Now turn over the bottom right card."
Hearing Trelawney's explanation of the Earth card made Harry very nervous. Especially since Lavender and Patti were whispering intently to each other. They knew something or were planning it anyways and Harry had a bad feeling.
He continued now to have a card labeled Wind and a picture of tall grass being blown to the ground by wind.
Trelawney now looked nervous.
"You may be more of a Seer than you think Potter… this card position represents guidance or the person who guides you… the element of Wind is a rare card to see in the guidance position as it means an unseen force is guiding you even warning you… Wind is not seen but felt in this world and it is considered to be the form of communication for forces outside of our reality that have a need to talk to us. If it is a person, than it is someone very sensitive… Treat this knowledge wisely… Now the bottom left card everyone."
Harry was getting annoyed by Trelawney now she was making things sound like he was center of things again.
Harry's final corner card was labeled Water and showed a picture of waves on an endless ocean.
Trelawney did not look pleased but rather worried.
"The last corner card represents Faith, that person with strong faith in you… You have drawn the element Water. I have never seen any one with four elements in their corner circle…there is strong power around you Harry very strong with four elements. It's almost as if they are putting you check? In any case the Water represents illusion, shows us one thing while hiding something else. In the Faith position means someone near you is opposing you while secretly believing in you. This is very curious. Harry, turn over the top three cards between the corner cards."
Harry continued on with her dreary lesson. The first of the top three cards showed a dragon reared on its hind legs, roaring into the sky. The second was an exact image of the shield and broken sword like the medal he received from the ministry. The third card was a simple lock.
"All of you will have different cards, so I want you all just to pay attention to Potter and me. This way you will have a memory of this to go with your book's example. Your final readings will be a part of your homework."
Trelawney eyed Harry's cards and a crowd grew around their table to watch the reading.
"This first set describes you…The Dragon is a creature of power and is considered the most powerful beast known which indicates you also have great power. The Medal of Vigilance indicates you are a champion, more specifically a Defender. The Lock means mystery, there is much we and most likely you do not know of yourself… Now the three cards on the right side."
Harry turned them over. The first revealed was a card with the image of a rope with a figure on either end pulling. The second had five cloaked figures with swords held ready. The third was two swords striking each other over and over.
"This set represents what is happening in the present for you… You are being challenged, as told by the first card the Challenge card… Five will stand against you in this challenge as represented by the second card known as the Opposition… The challenges will be combat as told by the third card, Combat… Now the cards on the left if you please."
Though Harry did not please to he did turn over the next set of cards. The first was a card with a Tombstone. The second was a pretty girl smelling a handful of flowers while sitting on a stone. The third was a black outline of a blank figure on a white background.
"This set represents what you fear or haunts you… Something of the past you fear indicated by the Grave card… The second one is confusing for it means you are afraid of something beautiful as that is the Beauty card… The last card is known as the Self card, and it seems to be saying that you are afraid of something within you."
Trelawney looked hard at Harry through her thick glasses as if she were trying to understand something.
Harry felt his breathing had gone rapid and sweat was building on him. The room seemed to going cold but he felt as if he was on fire. Others were noticing that the room was changing as well. Girls were rubbing their arms with their hands and the boys were rubbing their hands together. Harry saw from the corner of his eye as misty breath exhaled from Ron. Normally it was hot in the Divination room even in winter but something was draining the heat away.
"The last three Potter."
Trelawney said this more as a command rather than politely. She wouldn't take her bat eyes off Harry.
The last three were disturbing even before Harry was told what they were. The first card was an image of a spiked pit. The second showed a small village on fire. The third card was completely blank void of any image.
Trelawney took a few deep breaths before speaking.
"This last set represents what others should know about you… You are dangerous; the first card is called Danger… The second is called Destruction and apparently you cause destruction… The third is called Unknown and it means simply that, you are something unknown to us… Do not turn over the last card yet."
Harry saw it then, Trelawney was shaking slightly. She was scared of something and not saying why but it was something in Harry's cards telling her this.
"The center card is your representation, what animal, force or symbol best represents you… Do not be frightened by a nasty looking card such as the Demon card… Every card means different things based on where they are positioned… Now Harry your last card please."
Harry turned over the last card and at first it was all black.
Then it flashed as lightning cut cross the image followed by more lightning strikes.
Harry jumped back in fright and the sound of shattering glass filled the room. Teacups, plates and pots were exploding around the walls of the room with great force. Crystal balls in the corner cracked and everyone's glasses, except Harry, broke that instant.
"The Lightning Element," yelled Trelawney standing up quickly," Five elements, the four are keeping Lightning in balance!"
Harry finally spoke, "What is it suppose to mean professor?"
She didn't answer the question. Instead she drew her wand and with a flick all of Harry's things jumped into his bag.
"Get out of my class," screeched Trelawney," Don't ever come back."
Harry was about to respond but she moved her wand to center at his chest.
No one in the room moved or spoke and Harry reached for his bag slowly. Trelawney followed his every move with her wand. He could see fear evident in her eyes. Ron was shoveling his things into his bag as he made to follow Harry.
"You are not excuse Mr. Weasley and I will take points from Gryffindor if you leave with him," threatened Trelawney.
Ron stood by Harry at the trap door. He looked at her with a scowl and respond coldly, "You'll notice how much that doesn't bother me."
With that they left…
They went to the Great Hall, Harry walked quickly not saying a word and Ron followed behind looking at a Tarot card
It was Ron's center representation card, the image burning brightly on it.
When lunch came the news of Trelawney's actions spread faster than any rumor known. The professors were not at their places for lunch, the prefects would only say an emergency meeting had been called. Ron found it odd that Hermione knew what the prefects were saying as it was not being announced.
Harry wasn't talking to anyone. Anyone who tried to ask Harry anything received an angry glare from him. Hermione and Ron couldn't even get a word from him. Harry just sat there drinking glass after glass of pumpkin juice. He didn't really eat anything. Harry took a bite here and there just swallowing. He eyes were narrowed and Hermione could see his eyes but his anger radiated off of him. Ron was the only one who sat next to him while Hermione sat across from them.
"Hey Harry would you mind signing this," asked Colin Creevey.
Hermione saw he held one the chocolate frog collector cards.
Ron saw it too and said an explicative under his breath.
Harry started to turn around but Ron stopped him.
"Maybe you should ask later Colin, if he signs your card others would probably want it too. With lunch almost over we don't want to cause a scene right now for the Slytherins to make fun of," Ron chuckled nervously.
Luckily Colin believed Ron and agreed. Colin left with perfect timing as Hermione saw that the fork Harry was holding was bent in half.
Before anything was said, the bell rang and Harry hopped from his seat followed by his friends.
Throughout Transfiguration, Harry sat in the back with Ron and did absolutely nothing. Oddly Professor McGonagall didn't seem to notice. As she walked around the class watching people perform the day's lesson. She said nothing of Harry not participating but commented on Ron's performance, which was surprisingly good.
Harry sat where was idly tapping his quill on blank parchment. There was fury in his look and his jaw moved as if he was talking to himself. Hermione tried to steal looks behind her to Harry but couldn't see him well. Ron was on edge and jumped every time McGonagall commented on his work. She too was watching Harry but saying nothing.
It was Gryffindors and Hufflepuffs in this class together. Justin was sitting kiddy corner to Ron and when McGonagall wasn't looking he would glare at Ron and Harry. Ron saw this and wondered why he was doing that.
The bell rang for the end of classes and Harry stood up leaving. He had not removed his books, so there was little to delay his departure. Ron and Hermione hurried to catch up to him.
Just as they were about to speak, Harry rounded on them.
"No… I want to be alone," growled Harry as he turned and headed down another hall towards the kitchens.
Ron and Hermione stood in shock.
"For such a great wizard, he's quite a brat," snapped Justin as walked quickly by.
Ron didn't like that.
"What are you implying," snarled Ron angrily?
"You want to know then come to the library with me, I have to get some books and I'll tell you what I mean," quietly spoke Justin, glaring at Ron.
"Fine," answered Ron.
Hermione followed them to the library, knowing Ron was going to cause trouble and she had a duty to stop it as McGonagall had entrusted her to do.
However she couldn't shake the bad feeling that she had in her stomach.
Dobby could take care of Harry.
Ron and Hermione followed Justin into the library where he promptly headed for the center table of the study area.
Justin looked around with a happy smile as Ron set his bag down followed by Hermione.
Before Ron could say anything Justin spoke.
"You know everyone thinks the Hufflepuffs are pushovers. We're represented by something meek, the badger, and the other houses think we're nothing to think of… I rather prove that differently, I think the meek are something to contend with."
Hermione's bad feeling intensified and Ron looked confused.
"What are you babbling about Justin? What does this have to do with you and Harry," Ron asked impatiently?
In a quick move, Justin spun around with his wand drawn. He whispered something and their wands flew from their robes to Justin's free hand.
"I think its time Harry came to understand… the Bite of the Badger…"
Next Chapter
The First