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 to in the future in any way. The only exception of profit is to my self for literary improvement.
Author to Reader Note: There will seem like there are parts that were left out, admittedly it was done so on purpose.
Most of a week needs to go by so it may seem a little choppy.
I don't know where the offices of the professors are so I'm guessing they're connected to the classroom they teach in.
It may be selfish to say again but I really would like to ask for more reviews.
Revised 5/13/03
Harry Potter and the Turmoil Within
Chapter 21
The Untold Story
The whispers started along with the stares since stepping into the common room of Gryffindor tower. Talk of the game had not ended but calmed a little in intensity among the older students as Hermione came into view.
She paid no attention to it at all but walked slowly in and up to a window on the far side of the room, distracting thoughts evident in her expression while passing by.
It was clear to the present peers that something had happened, as Hermione walked by with her uniform smeared with dirt and grime, her long hair a tangled bushy mess covering a slightly paled face. They couldn't help but notice their prefect's one cheek bore a deep swelling bruise and a bit of dried blood at the corner of her mouth. Something had happened and there was no end to their imaginative guesses. Still though, Hermione gave no heed to them as her mind consumed all thoughts and attention.
She stared out the window seeing the view of the snow covered grounds, the lake baring floating heaps of ice and the trees as the limbs bent to the weight of the snow. Looking out but not seeing as the memories replayed in her mind of Harry's assault on Krum.
You really think I was going to give you another chance at her…
I told you we were different…
They're more important to me then those mindless bloody idiots out there…
-He couldn't have been playing Quidditch in the third game, -she thought, -He can be fast but not that fast… must have let him-self be replaced… but by who?-
I saw it all… I heard it all… I could even smell his breath… I could feel his weight on you… I felt him… touching you…
-Everything Krum did enraged him,- her thoughts continuing, -And planned all that to get him… that's not exactly doing nothing.-
Now I'm going to make him realize what I think of that…
-He did all that, - her thoughts dwelling on a conclusion, -For me.-
Hermione thoughts ended as a hand gripped her shoulder and pulled her around.
She ended up facing Ginny and Maylen.
"What happened to you," question Ginny quiet loudly, following an expression of shock and concern?
Maylen had a cloth and a bottle with a potion swirling lightly within. She too seemed worried but oddly watchful, saying nothing at first.
"What," replied Hermione, a bit dazed from the sudden spin?
"Your clothes… your hair," continuing Ginny, "That nasty mark on your face… something happened and I want to know what?"
"Just an incident with Harry," answered Hermione simply, the daze clearing.
Ginny didn't take the answer so simply but rather quite angrily, "Harry did that?"
Maylen's worried face became sullen at Ginny's question but she still said nothing.
Hermione finally snapped to reality, touching her face lightly and quickly answered, "Oh no Harry didn't do this… someone else did… but Harry… he handled it."
"Maybe we should move this to a more private place," stated Maylen plainly as a quick glance from corner of her eye showed many interested individuals?
Hermione didn't protest as Ginny practically pushed her towards the girls' dormitory.
Ginny calmed down having heard that Harry had not harm Hermione and it gave Ginny the patience to wait as Hermione chose to change her clothes first.
Maylen continued her sullen expression while waiting with Ginny on one of the beds.
Hermione took a seat across from them while pulling her hair out from underneath the clean blouse and other two couldn't help but notice a pleased expression on her face.
Rather than say anything, Hermione picked up a brush and began untangling the messy long hair but Ginny didn't like her quiet attitude.
"Are going to tell us or not," yelled Ginny?
Hermione looked at her then looked to the door.
Ginny waved her wand, casting the charm to keep sound locked within the room.
Hermione looked at them, wondering slightly to Maylen's sullen expression but unable to miss the quiet but dwindling patience in Ginny.
Hermione went into the story… of the time in Bulgaria… some of things she felt during the term… and the enraged skirmish between Harry and Krum.
"So after you tried to follow Harry out… then what," asked Ginny as the Hermione finished?
"That's it," answered Hermione, setting down the brush, "When I got out into the corridor Harry was gone… and Ron went to find him since McGonagall told me to come here."
"I know you follow rules and all… but I can't believe you'd just let Harry go off like that," inquired Ginny?
"I guess I'm still letting everything set in," answered Hermione, "It was all just so… so much… I was trapped… scarred… then I wasn't… I remembered what happened… and things changed… I changed… but before I could do anything further… Harry showed up."
Ginny didn't miss as Hermione's eyes became more distant with a small smile on her lips.
-Is Hermione really, - thought Ginny,-Oh my, she must be… that's the same look.-
"We should clean that up," spoke Maylen suddenly, her voice plain and appearance still sullen, "Its swelling… it'll just hurt more soon."
Maylen opened the bottle and poured some of the contents onto the accompanied cloth.
Hermione placed her hand on the swelling cheek, wincing slightly to the touch.
"No… I want to keep it," replied Hermione, quietly, "I want to it to keep hurting."
"Why," scoffed Ginny quite surprised but disapproving of the choice?
"Even if it's not permanent," spoke Hermione, her tone heightening and intensifying, "It'll be like… my own scar… a reminder."
Ginny just stared as Hermione looked at them, a strange anger in her eyes.
"A reminder that no one decides anything for me… not my future… not my place," spoke Hermione slowly with a darkening tone, "I decide for myself… and what I want."
Ginny wasn't sure how or why but the room felt different, not cold as it can be with Harry, rather a strange feeling… not uninviting… a feeling of warning. It reminded her of times in the woods when all would become quiet, not even the sound of a cricket could be heard. Almost as if something might happen, like a warning, but not a feeling to leave.
-What is going on with everyone? Hermione… Harry… things are all weird… even Ron seems different, - thought Ginny, remembering the incident with Ron and the falling platter?
Maylen closed the potion bottle and stood up, heading for the door, saying nothing in the process.
"Maylen, "inquired Hermione suddenly snapping out her previous thoughts?
Maylen gripped the door handle and held it in mid turn.
"I'm glad… Harry came for you," spoke Maylen plainly, no emotion to her voice, "You're worth saving… unlike… others I suppose."
Before an n inquiry could uttered; Maylen opened and stepped out, shutting the door behind her with a bit of a slam.
"What was that suppose to mean," asked Ginny?
"The library, "whispered Hermione, "A while ago, Maylen was giving some advice about… well about boys… to some girls near me… and she told them a little bit about one who… apparently was very bad to her."
"How does that apply to you," added Ginny?
"Maybe she waited," answered Hermione, "For someone to find her?"
The two girls sat in silence for a moment and Hermione stood, picking up a fresh robe from her trunk when a thought crossed her mind while putting it on.
-The invisibility cloak, - she thought, -Harry seemed to appear when the doors burst open… something fell off of him… he must have had the cloak.-
"Ginny was Harry in the last game," asked Hermione?
Ginny looked at her and shook her head replying with, "No… he started to… but after the Bludger knocked Krum out… there was a ten minute break… Dobby brought out goblets of pumpkin juice for everybody… but when the game started again with the Durmstrang second Seeker… Harry passed out a few minutes into the game… Madam Hooch halted everything and Harry was taken away by Dobby on a stretcher… the second Seeker for Hogwarts came out and everything went on… I suppose, like everybody, I thought Harry had just become too exhausted… now I know otherwise."
"Who was the other Seeker," continued Hermione inquiries, straightening the robes?
Ginny hesitated and then smiled when she answered, "Only the last person on Earth Ron would ever choose… Draco Malfoy."
Hermione stared at Ginny in surprise as she realized that Harry had given up a chance to beat another school at Quidditch for her safety. Realizations that worried her but stirred a happy flutter within as well.
A moment later the door to the dormitory opened and McGonagall stepped in.
"Ms. Granger," spoke McGonagall quietly, "I need you to come with me now."
Hermione said nothing but indicated her understanding with a nod and followed the Professor out of Gryffindor tower, still ignoring the whispers around them.
As they walked the corridor, nothing was said but Hermione had a pretty good idea to where this was all leading as their silent travel took them too the corridors leading to Dumbledore's office.
Professor McGonagall went in first and Hermione followed through to find Harry and Ron already there standing in the middle of the room.
Before she could speak, Harry turned and she could tell that his eyes had locked onto the bruised swelled cheek her face displayed. Though he said nothing, Harry's expression became an angry scowl when he saw the remnants of Krum's handiwork still evident in Hermione's features.
"Hermione would you please come closer," asked Dumbledore sitting at his desk?
Hermione walked past Harry and he followed her every move, almost as though he were waiting for another sign of injury.
Dumbledore leaned back into his chair and opened a drawer in his desk. He placed a cloth covered object on the corner edge of the desktop.
"I believe you are familiar with this," answered Dumbledore as he removed the cloth cover?
Dumbledore revealed a pensieve, the very same Harry had seen a year ago that showed the start to the fall of the Crouch family.
"What can that prove," asked Ron?
Dumbledore leaned back into his chair, picking up his wand as well.
"Memories can be erased… altered… even implanted," responded Dumbledore, "But original pensieves like this one… can filter out such things… and show the truth."
The question answered, Dumbledore reached over and dipped his wand into the pensieve. He began to whisper something as he stirred the magic item like a cauldron. A mist began to form above it and Dumbledore removed the wand.
"Now together… we shall see what was done… to Krum that made him do this heinous act."
The mist grew and rose above the pensieve.
Hermione recognized it to the same as in the Great Hall during the Quidditch game.
Within moments, it had grown to fairly large size and began to swirl in the center. Soon colors filled the swirling mist and painted scene that began to play out.
It was dimly lit but a large looking room with many tables. Some of them had groups of people, others with couples and a few with only one person. Dull music played in the background, as many unclear voices filled the room.
A man came into view, saying something in Bulgarian to Krum and set down a large mug in front of him. Other mugs were already on the table, turned over or lay out on their sides. It didn't much for everyone watching to realize that the scene was some pub in Bulgaria and Krum had been drinking heavily.
For the first few minutes of time passing, people came and went, all in various stages of the influence.
But it wasn't long before the answer they sought arrived.
"Ah… Mr. Krum," spoke an unseen wizard, baring a familiar voice, from behind, "I heard that you made steady visits here and I had hoped to have the pleasure of a chance meeting."
"Vho are you," snapped Krum?
The unknown wizard came around Krum's side and pulled the opposing chair out, taking an uninvited seat. Two other wizards came to either side of him, apparently having accompanied the wizard.
The candle light from the table illuminated the wizard's face, revealing his identity.
"The name is Malfoy, "answered the wizard strangely pleasant, "Lucius Malfoy."
"I've heard of you," slurred Krum.
"Oh that's good… my reputation has preceded me to even here, "replied Lucius.
The man from before appeared and left again in quite a hurry again as Lucius whispered something to the man's ear. But it wasn't more than a minute before he had returned, placing another ale and a brandy glass of red liquid on the table.
"In honor of meeting you I've decided to pay your tab," announced Lucius, as he handed a small cloth bag to the man.
"Vhat do you vant," snapped Krum?
Lucius took a sip from his brandy glass, giving an acted sigh of disapproval and playful resentment.
"Now is that any way to speak to a guest," commented Lucius?
"I did not invite you to my table," sneered Krum, still slurring his words, "And vrom vhat I haff heard of you… you aren't charitable."
Lucius gave Krum a despising look and lifted his brandy glass, taking in the remaining contents at once.
"I suppose civilized conversation has died away," spoke Lucius with mocked disappointment, setting the brandy glass down, "Very well then… straight to the point."
The two unidentified wizards positioned themselves closer to Lucius.
"I'm here because I have been given the understanding, thanks mostly to your… easily impressionable house elf," answered Lucius slowly but directly," That a guess will be arriving at your home within a few days."
"Vhat does that haff to do vith you," whispered Krum?
Lucius gave an odd smile and answered, "This individual… this… young girl… has an association… I'm not to particularly fond of... not to mention a nasty habit of a smart mouth."
The scene wobbled a bit and seemed as though Krum were trying to take in the response while trying to react.
"And honestly," continued Lucius, "Why would a self respecting pureblood like yourself… consort with such a tainted filthy mud blood?"
"Don't speak that vay of Herm-own-ninny," shouted Krum, trying to stand but falling back into his chair!
"I'll admit she has… favorable features… which may be quite satisfactory… for certain needs," implied Lucius strongly with a humored tone, "But to develop a relationship with… I most certainly think not… so something has to be done… rather you… need to do something about this embarrassment."
"I vill not… doing anything you vant," drunkenly snarled Krum, trying to stand, "Even if she doesn't… Herm-own-ninny is still my vriend."
"That… is exactly how I hoped you would react," whispered Lucius with a wicked smile?
"Vhat makes… you think I vill… even consider doing vhat you ask," stumbled out Krum?
Lucius gave a chuckle and withdrew his wand from its hidden resting place inside the snake head cane, taking aim with Krum.
"Because I had no intention of asking," mocked Lucius, raising his wand from underneath the table.
Krum reached into his own robes but it was too late. The other two wizards disappeared from view and presumably, taken hold of Krum.
"You are lying," shouted Krum, struggling, "It cannot matter vho I'm vith?"
"Well if you truly wish to know then," replied Lucius slowly standing up, "Its time the mud blood girl… like the paupers… become another example… of what happens to those… who associate with the enemy of the Dark Lord."
"Potter," whispered Krum?"
Lucius let off a continuous chuckle as something brightened at the end of the wand and the scene went black.
The dark scene faded away into the flickering mist rising from the pensive.
In the time before a second could pass; the air in the room icier than the high winds of the impending winter outside the castle. All eyes turned to Harry as the sounds of knuckles cracking followed and the fireplace dimmed to a mere stream of smoke filtering from dying embers. Many of the tinkering and twirling bits of things stopped, some falling to the floor.
Hermione stood a few feet in front of Harry and like the others, could se the flashing in his eyes.
"Me… always me," whispered Harry darkly.
Hermione stared into Harry's angrily contorted face and his flashing eyes but rather than see the lightening that had come to be expected there was something else. Harry's eyes were bright but not just from red streaks flashing in the veins of his eyes but because they were watery.
Hermione looked on in surprise, as angry Harry seemed to become, tears were beginning to form as well.
"Harry," spoke Dumbledore calmly but he was ignored.
"I wanted to kill him," stated Harry," I almost did."
"Harry," spoke Dumbledore again louder but was still ignored.
Harry growled something in Parseltongue and the centers of his eyes began to glow red.
Sunlight in the room had already faded and Harry turned for the door but Ron made to stop him.
"Harry wait," intervened Ron, hesitantly," I know how you feel… but Lucius Malfoy's no simple wizard… when Ginny was."
Harry advanced to only a step away, cutting Ron off.
"Nor am I," snapped Harry viciously, "And you have no damn idea about what I feel… now move!"
"Harry… I can't," replied Ron, strangely stern.
Harry's knuckles cracked again and the windows in the office, already cracking from the icy sheets stressing the panes, exploded out from some unseen force.
An instant later, a loud thud followed by a slamming bang led to a loud clattering sound filling the room. Harry turned, as did others, to see the Gryffindor sword lay upon the stone floor, its metal sound continuing to ring through the air almost endlessly.
But it did fade and as it did the room seemed to return to normal. The strange trinkets all about began to spin, move or do whatever odd action they normally did. The fireplace went ablaze again as nothing had happened. The only remnants of the previous moments that remain were the cracked windows and the Sword of Gryffindor lying on the floor.
Harry stared at the sword, appearing to be calm again.
"Come on," spoke Ron, breaking the silence, "Lets have a seat and hear them out."
Harry said nothing but turned away and headed for one of plush chairs in the far corner.
"Quite a good idea Ronald," said Dumbledore quietly.
Everyone took seats but Snape, deciding to stand by the fireplace and stare into the blaze.
"It would have been pointless to do anything about Malfoy," stated Snape quietly, now standing in front of the fireplace, "He left before the Quidditch game ended."
"How," asked Hermione sniffling, wiping her eyes, "How could Lucius take control of Victor like that for so long… the Imperious spell… after a long term, the person develops a resistance to it… like Crouch?"
"That is true," answered Dumbledore, "If it had been the Imperious curse."
"There is no other curse that can do that," responded Hermione, her voice filled with restraint.
"Its call the Dark Touch," interrupted Snape, peering into the flames of the fireplace.
Hermione and Ron stared in puzzlement, but Harry kept his gaze out the open window.
"Do not be surprised that you were unaware of it… very few know of it as it is not written in any book I have ever heard of," spoke Dumbledore, "Voldemort and his followers were feared, but those bearing the Dark Mark were not what caused the greatest fear in our world."
Harry still seemed to keep his attention drawn but everyone else clearly paid attention.
"History records that many in that time fifteen years were cleared of their crimes because of evidence found to show they were controlled, " continued Dumbledore, "Yes the Imperious curse is the unforgivable spell that causes one to become the unwilling servant to another… however the Dark Touch is a twisted version of it."
Dumbledore paused for a moment to put the pensive back in its place within the desk drawer.
"The Dark Touch and the Naomi Necklace have the same trait in common as to what they do," continued Dumbledore again, "The Naomi Necklace is capable of redirecting a person emotions… altering their perceptions of memory."
McGonagall spoke up and asked, "How so?"
McGonagall became surprise that she spoke so suddenly but Dumbledore just smiled.
"Justin is very angry at the loss of Cedric… first year here was very difficult for Justin until Cedric took him under his wing… thus becoming like a brother to him… and Malleck refocused that angered loss from the truth to Harry," answered Dumbledore," As for Cho… it is no secret that she had… strong feelings for Cedric… and like any of us who deal with a loss we wish for them back… so like Justin those feelings and thoughts were redirected to Harry… and like any of us, we would go to great lengths to reclaim what we can… all of this done with the Naomi Necklace… the jewel that alters memories and can implant them."
Ron took a few steps forward and asked, "So the Dark Touch does the same thing?"
Dumbledore stared at Ron a moment with a grin.
"Basically yes," answered Dumbledore," The real difference is that the necklace is temporary, its effects will only last a short while where as the Dark Touch is unknown regarding limits but its stronger as been witness by Krum's actions."
"So Victor really did," spoke Hermione, not finishing.
McGonagall quickly stood and placed her hand on Hermione's shoulder.
"Yes," spoke McGonagall, her voice unexpectedly soft, "And like many before him during those terrible times years ago, Victor was made to turn against those he cared for."
"And that was the greater fear of Voldemort's evil," added Dumbledore," Not what his followers could do… but what those who were not his followers could be made to do."
A moment of silence came and passed with a knock on the door to the office and an unknown wizard stepped in.
"Professor Dumbledore," inquired the wizard?
Dumbledore looked from McGonagall to Hermione, saying nothing but McGonagall knew the message.
"Hermione," spoke McGonagall, "Now we have to ask you something… it's your choice what happens to Mr. Krum."
Hermione realized it then that the wizard was from the ministry and her choice decided Krum's fate.
Harry stood up suddenly and walked to the door, Ron barely had a chance to react as he followed Harry out. As they left, Hermione made her decision and followed McGonagall from the office along with the ministry wizard, leaving Dumbledore and Snape alone in the office.
Dumbledore asked openly to Snape, "Have the preparations been completed?"
"Yes Headmaster," responded Snape quietly, "McGonagall has arranged for a Floo powder trip tomorrow."
"Good," sighed Dumbledore leaning back in his chair, finishing with, "Muggle or not… they deserve to know."
Late evening had settled and Hermione had returned to the common room to learn from Ginny that Harry had returned to his dorm. Her status as a Prefect and the rules of Hogwarts prevented her from seeing Harry as he refused to leave the dorm. According to Ron, all Harry had done was lie on his bed, pull the curtains and refuse to speak to anyone; even Hedwig could not get a response.
The next morning Hermione awoke to find a note lying on her bed table. She recognized the scribbled handwriting to be Ron's and wondered briefly how he got it there until she noticed the small teeth marks on the edge, like that of a cat.
Sitting up, Hermione gave her snoozing cat a gentle pet and opened the letter, reading the slopping handwriting.
Hermione,
We won't be at breakfast and maybe not even morning classes. Harry's got it in his mind for an early morning fly about. I don't think he slept at all last night, so he may come back finally tired out. Figured you want to know, hope we don't lose too many points for this.
Ron
P.S. How did your cat know I was writing you a note?
Hermione folded the letter, thinking briefly before she got up and prepared for the day.
She wondered what to say to Harry or even to the Professors when they inquire about her friends. She was charming her hair to stay behind her shoulders and giving her still bruised cheek a look over when the door to the dorm opened, letting a professor step in.
"Good morning Ms. Granger," greeted McGonagall, "I apologize for telling you this now but there will be a change in you schedule as there is another task we must do."
The note had been right as Harry and Ron, walked towards the Great Hall at the beginning of lunch since having deposited their brooms only a few minutes ago.
Ron couldn't help but wonder from time to time during their flight as to how Harry had told Dobby before hand. The moment they stepped out of the castle, with the sun light barely breaching the horizon, Dobby had been waiting with brooms. He remembered when he went looking for Harry after the situation with Krum. He had search for a while even some places twice until Dobby had caught his attention from an empty classroom. Dobby had told him where Harry was and had also given him a note from Dumbledore to bring Harry to his office.
-I wonder why Harry went there of all places, - questioned Ron to himself?
Even when he had found Harry, he couldn't get a response or barely recognition until he spoke of the note from Dumbledore.
It was now that Ron wondered how Dobby knew so much.
His thoughts were interrupted by an unexpected scene.
Hermione stood outside the Great Hall, dressed to go outside with a small bag in hand and Crookshanks' basket by her. McGonagall was with her and prepared in a similar fashion.
"Where are you going," asked Harry plainly?
Hermione gave him a nervous look before answering.
"I um… have to leave," she answered.
"Why," continued Harry?
She fidgeted a moment before giving her reason.
"McGonagall is taking me… taking me home," spoke Hermione hesitantly," To… to tell my parents… what happened… everything that happened."
Harry didn't respond but his features displayed a worried thought.
Hermione spoke quickly with, "It'll just be for a couple of days… then I'll be back."
"Mr. Potter, Mr. Weasley," spoke McGonagall suddenly, "I'll expect your assignments from this morning classes on my desk before I return."
With that McGonagall stepped away and Hermione followed giving a silent wave of good bye.
Neville showed up unexpectedly, shouting, "Wait Hermione! I got it!"
Neville tripped and fell, as expected when he rushed but a familiar object slid from his hand. Hermione rush suddenly towards it but Harry got it first.
Harry looked at the object… a small card… a chocolate frog card… baring his image.
Harry didn't look pleased but said nothing at first.
"Odd isn't it I know," explained Hermione, clearing her throat nervously, "It just that after four years… I still don't… well I still don't have a picture of you… and I wanted to show my parents but at the last minute I went with what was available."
Harry fidgeted with the card in his hand a moment then handed it to Hermione.
"I hope everything goes well," stated Harry plainly, not looking at her.
Hermione stepped forward and kissed Harry's cheek making him look to see her smile.
"It will," she replied happily.
With that Hermione left with McGonagall and Neville excused himself quietly.
"Now what," whispered Ron?
Harry didn't answer the way Ron had expected.
"Dobby," said Harry.
Ron was about to inquire but Dobby popped in, smiling happily within the puff of smoke appearing with him.
"Dobby will get it ready," proudly spoke the elf before popping out again, adding another puff of smoke to the air.
Harry stated turn towards the Great Hall when Ron asked, "How are you calling Dobby like that?"
"I don't know, "responded Harry, "Dobby just seems to know when I want something."
"How," asked Ron again?
"He's says it's because of something we are," shrugged Harry walking by into the Great Hall," Something about elementals."
"Elementals," whispered Ron to himself as Harry went into the Great Hall?
-But it's just a story, isn't it, - thought Ron as turned to follow?
Lunch went by and afternoon classes came but rather then retire to the dormitory, Harry chose to go to class… the despised Double Potions.
Harry and Ron were preparing their ingredients to add to their partially brewed potion and finding it more difficult than usual given that Hermione wasn't there to point out their obvious mistakes.
The potion they were brewing left off a relaxing aroma but the most everyone was concentrating to hard to avoid Snape's insults to notice that it was usual to have a potion like that in class.
Ron didn't even notice as Harry nodded off…
Well what a waste of time that was…
Spoke an angry voice in the cold darkness within the, putrid smelling, dreary and dim maze.
We go through all that… and then you just stop… look at me when I'm talking to you…
Harry turned and found the red eyes staring, squinting at him in the dark.
Krum was bloody well handed to you… she was all over you… just like you wanted… and what do you do… just run off…
"Krum was innocent," replied Harry, angrily, "It would've been wrong… it's Lucius that deserves anything."
Innocent… guilty… it doesn't matter… the point was to make someone pay for trying to take what is ours… I wanted to show you what we can do together… which did not involve being sympathetic…
It kept shouting its words and Harry wasn't sure what to say.
"Look I may have wanted to… hurt Krum," started Harry, "But Hermione asked me."
Oh I see… dark wizards… beasts… criminals… and what not is okay to be in control with… but lets just stop everything for some smart mouth, pretentious, little twit of a mud blood…
"Don't call her that," shouted Harry, advancing!
The cold didn't bother him and the putrid smell seemed to be gone.
I knew good could be ignorant… but I didn't know it was such a coward…
"Damn you," snapped Harry as lunged forth, his limits reached!
As Harry lunged forth, his hands came in contact with something that felt as flesh and the dim light revealed a dark haired familiar figure baring the red eyes. A set of hands cam to grip on Harry but before he figure's form could become clear, a surging pain shot through Harry's body.
Harry awoke suddenly as a large slam sounded in his ears and shook the desk the table.
"Wake up Potter," shouted Snape fiercely!
Harry' gripped his forehead as it began to have a painful feeling of pounding and everything felt out place with him.
"You may think you can prance about this castle doing what you wish," continued Snape, "But in my class you do not have your way!"
Harry heard Snape's voice but his words didn't become clear as a wave of nausea and dazed feelings still gripped Harry.
Snape turned and walked away, still voicing his opinions nastily.
One thing did clearly ring in Harry's mind…
Such a coward…
It never dulled in its volume and Harry could still feel the same pain in all over his body as he did when he grappled with the dark figure.
"I swear you are just like your father," snapped Snape, "Always getting away with things… like he was something special… more like coward really."
The flames under every brewing cauldron vanished…
The windows slammed open…
And a table with a cauldron tipped to the ground violently…
Snape froze in place suddenly and gripped his forearm.
"I suppose it would be better to be like you," snarled Harry suddenly?
Snape turned to find the Harry's table knocked over, Ron on the ground surprised and Harry standing in an oddly calm manner.
"Maybe it would be better if I was some pathetic teacher skulking about the castle dungeons," spoke Harry calmly but dangerously, "Like some useless slime."
Snape began to back away as his body began to quiver slightly and a small amount of smoke began seeping through the cloth of his sleeve where he held his forearm.
Harry began to advance slowly towards Snape; the students seem too surprised by it all to do anything.
"Keeping your-self behind the Headmaster's robes… like a frighten child at the hem of their mother's dress," continued Harry, "Hiding here at Hogwarts… doing nothing but snooping about and letting others handle the trouble."
Snape tried to keep his posture but whatever was happening to his arm was causing great pain given the continuous struggle of changing features in his face.
Snape stood by his desk and Harry was only a few feet away.
"Tell me how brave it is," finished Harry," To bully students about… just because you don't have your way?"
The smoke leaving Snape's arm was growing as was his apparent pain.
Ron had finally managed to get pass his reaction had caught up to Harry.
"Come on Harry… that's enough… lets get out of here," suggested Ron, touching Harry's shoulder.
Harry turned suddenly and knocked Ron's hand from his shoulder, stating with a warning tone, "Do not interrupt me… or you can follow with him!"
Ron was stared in shock at Harry, seeing his eyes.
There was no flashing, only a steady glow as red as blood in Harry's eyes.
Harry turned his focus back to Snape.
"Give me one damn reason why I shouldn't tear you apart," growled Harry?
Before Snape could attempt to answer, a strong wind blew in and caused many of the parchments laying there to fly off along with another item that was not a parchment. Snape made a drastic lung for it but Harry snatched it first on a sudden thought.
He stared at what was an old and recently torn image of a girl setting on a bench outside reading a book. Her uniform bore the crest of Gryffindor and she was very familiar to Harry. Within moments, Harry realized he had seen this woman before in pictures from the album Hagrid had given him. A woman who was in many pictures with his father… a woman named Lilly Potter.
The flames returned to the cauldrons and things seem to return to normal. Even the smoke had stopped from Snape's arm.
"You fancied my mother," whispered Harry questioningly?
A new voice came into the room and everyone breathed easier as that person spoke.
"Mr. Potter, Mr. Weasley, "said Dumbledore, "Please return to your House."
Harry said nothing but set the photo back on the desk hesitantly and walked away past the Headmaster.
Ron followed without word but had a moment to see a very unpleasant look on Dumbledore's face as he looked to Snape.
Neither boy said anything as they left the dungeons until Harry lost his balance and gripped his forehead. Ron caught him before he fell and led him into an empty room nearby. Harry was breathing hard and was very pale.
"Harry," inquired Ron quite worriedly?
"Am I awake," asked Harry in a groggy tone, "Did what just happened in Potions actually happen?"
"Yes," answered Ron slowly?
"It felt like I was dreaming," explained Harry, still holding his forehead, "Like I was there but it wasn't really me… it's the same thing that happened with Krum… everything that happened I wanted… but it was like I was seeing it all… but not actually doing it… like I was dreaming… that's why I ran out of there… because it didn't seem like it had should have happened."
Harry pulled his hand away from his forehead and Ron tried hard not to react but Harry saw what Ron was seeing as it was also in his hand.
There was blood on his hand… blood from his forehead.
Harry stood up and looked around to see a mirror in the room and walked towards it. The mirror revealed a dried pool of blood at the tip of Harry's lightening shaped scar.
They didn't have much time to say anything as Dobby came rushing into the room.
The elf snapped his fingers and a brief pink smoke filled the majority of the room. Then with amazing strength grabbed Harry and dragged him towards an open closet to the side. Harry was too surprised about his blood to resist and Ron rushed to the closet where Dobby shoved both boys inside.
"Dobby, what the hell are you doing," snapped Ron angrily?
"Please sirs, be quiet," whimpered the elf, "They are coming."
"They who," replied Ron?
Dobby didn't answer right away but instead, tapped the door saying something which caused it to glow yellow for am moment. Then he scratched at the top panel of the door and said something else.
A second later, the wood panel became like glass as the wood vanished and revealed the room they had just been in.
"We will see them, "spoke Dobby proudly, "But they will not know we are here."
Ron had just about enough of everything when the door to the room burst open and Maylen came in having been shoved in.
Daken hurried in and shut the door behind.
"How dare you to think you can just drag me here," shouted Maylen.
"I've been trying to talk to you since last night," snapped Daken, "And I'm sick of you ignoring me."
"We haven't spoken in thirty years… I'd think you'd be used to not hearing my voice by now," replied Maylen curtly.
Daken looked ready to retort angrily but instead he closed his eyes taking a breath.
"Maylen, I just want to talk to you," spoke Daken calmly, "Can't I at least have that?"
Maylen gave him a strange look but answered, "Fine… but then that's it."
Somehow her statement seemed to cause pain for Daken but he held back.
"Where were you," asked Daken in an unusually sorrow filled voice?
Maylen crossed her arms and looked away, answering, "I was with him for a while… then I got away the night he was killed."
"But where have you been since…. I looked for you ever since I found out you were still alive," questioned Daken, "It's the only reason why Malfoy still lives."
It was so strange for the boys to see Daken this way. He seemed so oddly gentle and caring, even weak in a way.
"I moved around a lot," stated Maylen coldly, "For a while in South America… Africa… France… and sometimes just places I didn't know where exactly… just as far as I could get sometimes."
Daken walked up to her and seemed to reach out to her but she moved away.
"Why did you think I was dead," questioned Maylen?
"I had no hope that you were alive after Markus was killed," softly spoke Daken, "I hunted dark wizard after dark wizard to… I don't know get revenge or feel like I could right my mistakes… then nearly fifteen years ago… I found out about Malfoy and I was just about to finish it when he said he knew who and what I was… and that you still lived."
Daken made to move towards her again but she gave him a warning look.
"So why not kill him then," question Maylen still as coldly as ever?
Daken paused for a moment, "I didn't know we were related at first… we battled all night… and I never realized why he wasn't getting hurt enough from the wounds… until I stared into his eyes and saw the same silver as mine…that's how I knew that he shared the same vampire linage… he was healing like me during the exchanges… I had him at point blank with a silver coated knife to end him until your name escaped Lucius's lips."
"So," snapped Maylen?
"He just laughed at me when I reacted," explained Daken further, "He wouldn't say anything more… so I became desperate… dragged him to the ministry in hopes the dementors would make him talk."
Maylen turned herself to look away from Daken completely.
"Why didn't you look for me," asked Daken, his words slow and pained?
"Because you didn't seem too interested in me before," scoffed Maylen?
That sparked in Daken as his gentle manner began to dissipate.
"Not interested," shouted Daken, "You know damn well know… that I was… that I am more than interested!"
Maylen rounded on Daken now.
"Why didn't you say something," shouted Maylen in return, "I waited for twenty years and you still never said anything to me… until someone else he did say something?"
"Oh yes that worked out well didn't it," chided Daken?
As soon as he had said it, Daken regretted the words as he closed his eyes and a look of self loathing crossed his face.
Maylen backed away and tears brimmed her eyes as she responded simply with, "You bastard."
Daken seem to calm himself again and with a lot of restraint tried to continue.
"I was a fool… I've gone up against dark wizards and beasts," spoke Daken with stress, "But I couldn't face you… I was a coward."
"Last time I checked, I wasn't a snarling beast to be afraid of," growled Maylen through stifled sniffles, "But I guess I was stupid enough to give myself to one."
"It wasn't your fault," spoke Daken with a hopeful worry in his voice, "None of us knew… not me… or Markus… and certainly not you… about that wizard… we didn't suspect who Marvolo was?"
"I got close to him… I should have sensed it," quietly responded Maylen fighting herself.
"Believe me I know what it's like to lose yourself around someone who stirs you," encourage Daken.
"Yeah well I lost myself so much that Markus was killed," retorted Maylen," Then found out that my own brother was Malleck."
Daken gave her a strange look and asked, "Do you know where Markus is?"
Maylen gave him an insulting look and answered, "Where ever you buried him."
"But he isn't dead, Maylen," spoke Daken, "He said some spell before he died… I know I was there he when had his last breath… the Death spell only killed his human half but the vampire continued… that last spell must have preserved him some how… now he's back causing these recent attacks"
Maylen's face became a flood of fear and worry as she looked away.
"Well then… it won't be too long before I'm next," stated Maylen, "He'll want the one who led Marvolo to him… and that's me."
"Not if I get to him first," ensured Daken.
Maylen gave him a quick frustrated and dirty look while responding with, "Don't be ridiculous… I'm supposed to trust you of all people… never!"
With that Maylen stalked past Daken, heading back out to the corridor.
"Maypium," shouted Daken angrily, grabbing Maylen's arm!
Maylen spun around and reacted by slapping Daken in move so fast that it came across as almost a blur.
The hit must have been hard as Daken was force to arch his body from the blow but as he straightened his posture, a surprise followed. The side of his face, having received the hit, had three very deep gashes as if claws had been brought across his face.
Ron cursed loudly and covered his mouth but Daken and Maylen did not seem to hear them.
"Don't ever call me that again," she demanded!
With that she pulled her arm free and left.
Daken cursed something and the boys watched as the gashes on his face began to heal over.
A minute later Daken left as well.
Dobby let the boys out of the closet while quite pleased with himself and mentioned that was how house elves kept out of sight and unheard from their masters.
Harry chose not to go the Hospital wing but stopped at a lavatory and washed his face. He couldn't see a scab form anywhere on his scar and considered it a blessing in disguise.
As Dumbledore had requested, they returned to their House.
Two days later, Hermione sat at a table in the Leaky Cauldron, her thoughts rapid about the time with her parents, while awaiting the time for the Floo powder trip to Hogsmeade and back to Hogwarts… back to her friends… back to Ron… and Harry.
"Is everything alright, Hermione, "asked McGonagall sipping from her cup?
"Oh yes," responded Hermione, "I was just thinking about mom and dad… I've never seen my father so angry before… I mean he's been angry before… but he was like a completely different person… even mum was different."
"That is a normal and healthy reaction," responded McGonagall, "I think things became smoother when the owl came with those pictures."
Hermione stifled a laugh to a humored snort, "Colin must have had to be taken to the Hospital wing when asked to take those pictures."
Hermione remembered as the scene was heated from her father's need to leave the room and her mother in a silent rage, the owl that swooped in and dropped a large parchment envelop in her lap.
Opening it she found pictures of Harry and Ron, some funny things with them making faces. A couple of them standing together and a couple of solo close up shots.
Hermione had forgotten the moment with her parents as she read the note included.
Hermione,
Thought maybe you'd like something better than that card.
Your friends,
Harry and Ron
P.S. There may be more as Colin isn't satisfied with any picture yet.
It was such an unexpected surprise, especially since Harry hated having his picture taken. Now she had something respectable to show her mother. Though her father still seem to be letting it all sink in, she couldn't help but notice that her mother seem to like the picture of Harry having inquired about his green eyes.
A chime snapped Hermione out her thinking trance and followed as McGonagall stood up, grabbing her over night bag and Crookshanks' basket.
With extra Floo powder they each took their turn and exited out a shop in Hogsmeade where a horseless carriage awaited them.
Hermione couldn't help but feel glad to be back at Hogwarts… for many reasons.
When Hermione returned to the common room, she found it oddly quiet. Fellow Gryffindors seem to move quietly and nervously about.
She spotted Ron setting at a table and surprisingly, doing his homework.
She went to Ron and they exchanged greetings and pleasantries but Hermione didn't wait too long before Ron went into the story of the last few days with the potions class and Maylen's argument with Daken. She learned that again Harry had shut himself in the dormitory, refusing to converse with anybody.
The next morning, Hermione awoke early to be ready to see Harry for the first time in a few days. She even had purchased a new green tinted blouse for the occasion.
Her hair charmed back and her clothes straightened, Hermione went to the common room to await her friends. She wouldn't allow Crookshanks on her lap and oddly enough he didn't seem to insist as he normally did.
Students left their dormitories and gave polite small talk with Hermione but it was still some time before Ron and Harry came down. She heard Ron with his early morning grumbles and stood up to greet them.
Ron gave a casual and yawned greeting but it took Harry a moment to realize who he was seeing.
Hardly giving him a chance Hermione rushed up and gave Harry a tight hug which he returned lightly. She giggled quietly as she felt a small tremble in his form and his hands nervously touch the small of her back.
"Thank you for the pictures," thanked Hermione, "They came at a perfect time."
Harry seemed to stare a moment, apparently trying to contemplate an answer.
"Well… you really seemed to want a picture… and Colin is always bugging me for photos… so I just thought," replied Harry starting to blush, "I'm… glad you like them."
Harry seemed really nervous suddenly and Hermione knew she was just going to have to accept what Maylen had said before. That being that boys were nervous and stupid around girls, of course she realized she wasn't any better.
Hermione announced she was hungry and they headed for breakfast.
Hermione said nothing of telling her parents of what had happened and neither boy asked anything about it.
Soon the bell rang and students filtered out for their morning classes.
Today's class was Defense Against the Dark Arts.
However when they got there they their classmates leaving and they looked to see why. The door had sign posted stating that the class was canceled for the day with an assignment from their books written as well.
Students,
Read chapters twenty three through twenty six.
Review chapters eighteen through twenty two.
Be ready for a test.
And remember…
Always have your wand ready and your instincts sharp
They stood there for a moment, examining the posted sign as a cold draft breezed past them in the hall.
"I think we should go in," stated Harry, suddenly.
"Why," asked Ron, "The assignments right there."
Harry didn't seem to listen as he reached for the handle to the door only it opened on its. Harry gave his friends an inquiring look but both Hermione and Ron had no answers to give.
They entered the quiet classroom of their Defense Against the Darks subject to find it eerily quiet except for a sound of breaking glass coming from the office.
With only a look between them they withdrew their wands and headed quietly to the office, leaving the school materials on a nearby table.
As they neared the door, Harry noticed the sounds had not changed and gave a curious look to his friends. Ron shrugged his shoulders and Hermione shook her head, a clear note of apprehension in her expression, but ready to go on.
Harry reached for the door to the office only before he could turn the knob; it opened quite violently banging against the wall within the office.
Daken stood there glaring at them, his usually pale face very red and his eyes looked bloodshot.
At first Harry wasn't sure what to make of it until he saw the nearly empty Ogden's fire whiskey bottle in Daken's hand and remembered how is Aunt Marge would look the same during visits having had quite a bit of Uncle Vernon's scotch.
-He's drunk, - thought Harry as the horrid stench of whiskey filtered from the office through his nose, burning the airway to his lungs.
A quick glance from the corner of his eyes made clear that Ron and Hermione were having similar reactions to the smell.
"Get in here," snapped Daken, quite rudely.
They gave no resistance, considering none of them knew how drunken vampire would react to not having its way but they kept theirs wands in hand.
"Sit, "snapped Daken again, while he flopped himself on a large plush chair.
Easier said then done they quickly discovered as whiskey bottles littered the room. It seemed as though floor were made of them. As they moved the bottles clinked together which explained the breaking glass sound, they heard earlier given that there were also many shards from bottles having been broken.
-He must have been just stomping around on them… the bloodied fool, - thought Ron, trying his best to avoid slipping on the bottles.
Hermione made a distinct sound of disgust and made her way to the window. She opened it and with a quick spell refreshed the air in the room ending the whiskey smell. Having done that, she spoke another spell, causing all the empty bottles to pile up in a far corner of the room.
Daken didn't seem to notice the quick cleaning Hermione had done, rather he just drank the rest of the contents and tossed the bottle to the floor. A look on Hermione's face clearly showed the insult of it all but she said nothing except to glare at him.
Daken fumbled with his robes in the overstuff chair across from them.
A moment later Daken brought his wand into view, with a quick wave, conjuring three small glasses, filled with a liquid presumed to more of the whiskey and yet another bottle.
The three friends gave each other a look.
"We're… a bit young," mentioned Ron trying not to imply anything.
Daken just shrugged his shoulders.
For few minutes, nothing seemed to happen beside Daken taking heavy drinks from the whiskey and sitting there.
Harry was about to speak and see about excusing themselves to leave but Daken spoke up.
"Remember at the beginning of the term," spoke Daken, his words plain, turning his bloodshot eyes to them, "I said that every year there had been something to bring a fight to Hogwarts and there always had been those to resist it."
Daken took their silence to be a yes and so continued.
"I also said you never knew how the Marauders were formed," continued Daken, his words barely slurred, "The specifics of that union, I don't know but I am aware of a time when they became heroes but no one aside from a select few ever knew the whole truth… many knew they were involved but not how deep."
"Do you," asked Harry?
"I'm telling the damn story, aren't I," snapped Daken?
Daken sat silent for a moment again and with no response or warning began to tell the tale.
About ten years before any of you were born which would make nearly twenty years, I came to Hogwarts masquerading as a student.
I was here to… gather information… and I passed myself off as a fifth year transfer from America… not surprisingly of course Dumbledore had me figured.
He sent for me one night to explain my reasons.
Realize that vampires weren't too well welcomed… like werewolves… even half blooded ones.
In any case… after I explained my reasons… Dumbledore let me stay and in time, I met your father and his friends… Remus, Sirus and… Peter.
Harry made a shift in his posture, an action that didn't go unnoticed.
A smirk crossed Daken's face as it stared at Harry, continuing.
I also met… the very pretty and very sought after… young Ms. Lilly Evans… the Prefect of Gryffindor at that time. Regardless of the House, she was still quite desired by many of the boys in this school.
Harry reacted by blushing slightly at the news of his mother, Ron grinned and Hermione giggled.
She did have one obstacle… a constant thorn in her side.
Harry looked puzzled, he had always heard of people not liking his father for some reason or another but this was the first he had heard of someone opposing his mother.
Daken chuckled a bit and continued.
You see your mother was much like McGonagall in many ways in that she didn't break rules for any reason not to mention she was quite strict about things… even more so than Hermione… there seemed to be no reason for a rule to be broken in her view.
Harry's puzzlement continued as did Daken's story.
So you can see that some one like your father and his friends who had a 'unique' opinion on the rules could be seen as a 'problematic' to your mother.
Daken paused momentarily letting the details sink into Harry's mind.
I know it sounds strange to think that your parents opposed each other but that was how they were back then. I don't know the entire history but from what I was told your parents did not see eye to eye from the very first day. I was also told of many heated arguments between them. Of course now the answer to their constant quarrels is quite clear.
Daken put his drunken gaze on Harry again only to see the boy completely confused.
Most would call it foreplay…
Its really simple… basically they were so young when they met and the initial reaction to each other was one of… shall we say… distaste.
As time went by, it seemed the normal emotion for them to show each other but with each passing year the intensities grew, evident with each argument.
I remember one day… many of us could hear yelling from a closet in the halls. Most likely James had broken another rule… gotten away with it… but not before Lilly had her say.
I was further away towards the back of the crowd but you could hear them yelling at each other… then it all just went silent… a minute or two later… Lilly opened the door and walked out… she looked to be in a trance… not noticing anybody… walking away.
James stayed in there, I was able to see and found him rooted to the spot. I thought maybe Lilly had petrified him but was very much moveable… just in shock.
"From what," asked Harry, still confused?
Daken just stared at him, Ron grinned while blushing slightly and Hermione began snickering while trying to hide it. Luckily, it didn't take too long for the answer to present itself in Harry's mind and looked away in embarrassment for finally realizing.
Daken continued having seen the look on Harry's face now realizing his parents' actions in the closet.
I know that doesn't seem to make things very clear about the Marauders but believe me… it's a key point.
At that same year I came to Hogwarts a witch by the name of Loralie Dussan was the Herbology professor at the time.
She is the reason why the Marauders became more than pranksters.
"How so," asked Hermione.
"I'm getting there," responded Daken, slightly cold, "Remember the potion Cho was brewing when she had Hermione chained and you two dealt with her?"
Harry and Ron exchanged a quick glance from their eyes and Daken took it as a yes to his question.
"That was the same potion Loralie made at the time… its called Aphrodite's Kiss," added Daken, "And it's an extremely powerful love potion and seriously dangerous."
"Where did Cho find it," asked Hermione, "The restricted section?"
"I'd like to know that myself… I would be surprised if you could find it in any book in Diagon Alley or here at the Hogwarts library… since it was misused so much and caused a lot of scandal in its day," answered Daken, "The potion was forbidden to public knowledge… except by permission from the Ministry… given it's level of difficulty… Cho got it from someone else and that someone helped to brew it."
"Malleck," stated Ron plainly before noting in a confused tone, "He sure is taking his time about things…all we've had is the… Keock Jewel?"
"Don't forget the Void spell the first day of the term," added Hermione, "Or the fall of the Museum."
Daken interrupted and stated quite rudely, "He loves chaos… I said that before… Malleck likes to see people suffer… so everything you've all been dealing with of late is good as well… I think he's just saving up for something big."
"Like what," inquired Ron?
Hermione answered, "Well he still has that other stuff… the other Talismans… the Hetan Stone, Naomi Necklace, Geraus Ring, Colossus Orb and."
"The Venarus Blade," spoke Harry, finishing for Hermione.
"The stone is what leveled the Museum and it has not yet been found… the orb isn't confirmed yet from the marble sphere found with Harry in the rubble… we know the necklace is was used on Justin and Cho… hardly anything is known of the ring as it had barley been translated," spoke Daken in a monotone state staring away from them, "The Venarus Blade is the one to fear for now."
They sat silent for moment, Daken gulped down more of his oddly colored whiskey.
Daken suddenly shook his head, seemingly to gag a moment and said loudly, "Wait… I was telling you about the Marauders and Loralie!"
Harry, Ron and Hermione sat silently as Daken continued the previous story.
Loralie was the reason the Marauders became unknown heroes.
It may never have been known as to what Loralie's reasons were but one night she attacked the school with the Aphrodite's Kiss potion… or rather she made most of the boys attack with that potion.
How she did it… I don't know… but basically she gained control over almost every young male in this school… including some of the younger male professors.
Apparently one of the few limitations the potion had was that the intended male had to be within a certain age group of the brewer, so young professors as well as any boy students above second year became affected.
They stormed the school at her command and held everything hostage. The potion's control was so strong it made its victims completely subjected to commands making them innocent as anything done was not of their choice. Because of that very little forceful magic could be used to repel them and so Hogwarts lay crippled by its own students.
Lilly, another witch and McGonagall had themselves locked in a classroom somewhere and worked to create another potion to reverse the effects.
Most of the girls defended the school while the potion was being created but Loralie began to lose control of the fight as she had a new battle to deal with as four challengers stood against her.
Daken took a moment to look at the three friends and could see each listening intently.
The exact specifics of how and why I never learned… but four boys… three that were capable of becoming an animal at will… and one under the curse of a werewolf… somehow made their way through the opposition and challenged Loralie.
I said before that the potion had few limitations… but another one was it gave dominative control over same species only… and the Marauders animagus transformation powers must have just been enough to make that limitation apply as part of them must have become one with the animal form including the werewolf boy.
"My dad… Sirius… Professor Lupin… and," whispered Harry openly before trailing off.
"And Pettigrew," finished Ron plainly.
Daken stared hard a Harry a moment then looked to his bottle, continuing.
The greenhouse, the central core of Loralie's assault, had given the advantages of growing the ingredients needed and have access to most of the boys in the school as Herbioloy is a required subject for all years.
It was also a disadvantage as animals can move faster in a building of pots and plants then a human.
Her assault had begun at night… a night with a full moon… and she must not have known like many that a werewolf was on the premises.
The other three became their animal forms, keeping the werewolf controlled, while breaching enslaved students line and making their way to the greenhouse.
I wasn't there for it… I only know what was said from Sirius and Pettigrew then.
They had entered by breaking the doors… stags have very strong antlers and can often break things easily… especially with a werewolf and boarhound aiding… with a rat watching their backs.
I guess it didn't take Loralie long to figure out why animals would suddenly show up… my guess would be that the werewolf was a pretty big clue as well.
I won't go into detail about the fight but basically Sirius was injured… a rat couldn't do much beside make an attempt to knock over the cauldron brewing the aroma of the potion while the werewolf and stag kept her busy.
Loralie must have been a very strong witch to defend herself against them for that long…
At some point, Pettigrew had been able to knock over the cauldron and so Loralie must have used her last option to win…
Daken paused and a look of silent pain crossed his face.
Loralie wasn't a fool, she knew someone would try to develop a kind of anti-love potion… so she prepared for it with a… so called assassin… someone who could move faster and get past the fighting to find out who was doing it.
Using that option she somehow at some point must have communicated that to the Marauders…
Well as I said Lilly was working on it… so your dad had to make a choice…
Continuing to fight Loralie… or find Lilly and stop this assassin.
Daken paused again, taking another gulp and finishing the bottle.
James made his choice…
Daken looked to his audience.
Loralie had to face a solo werewolf now… one not under the influence from fellow animals…
Believe me a werewolf uncontrolled is extremely fast… faster than what it takes to say a spell… it was only with Sirius and Peter's account of events that identified the mess of remains that was once Loralie…
Thankfully Remus never remembers such things...
Your father chose to go to Lilly… and almost didn't make it.
The assassin had gotten there first and McGonagall could do little against him…she was knocked out easily and two young witches didn't have much of a chance. Their only defense had been a creature that came to their aid before hand. I believe you've met it… a phoenix… called Fawkes.
"Fawkes," spoke Harry, "He rescued my mother?"
"Let say… he bought time," replied Daken, "Phoenixes are powerful, I don't deny that… great strength, flight and use of fire… but they lack speed in small areas like a classroom… couldn't use it's fire abilities at the time… and the assassin had speed…plus the advantage to heal fast."
"So what did my father do," inquired Harry, a forceful tone in his words now?
Daken finished the story.
I remember it well… as Fawkes fought and weakened… the window shattered… pieces of the surrounding wall broke off when a great stag smashed through… speed or no speed… there was no dodging a surprise like that… as the stag drove it's antlers through the assassin into the wall behind him.
The stag held strong while the reversing potion's last details were finished.
It's amazing when I remember it because going through that window, not to mention the distance that had to be traveled to get there, had not been done without a price… the distance at top speed had caused his hooves to bleed… the window had cause numerous and serious cuts all over his body… and I'm sure one of his legs had been broken while landing as well.
Hermione's mind suddenly flashed back to the first Quidditch game when Bludgers attacked the audience… and how Harry had managed to repel the remaining Bludger even when severely hurt himself… it sounded almost the same.
Lilly and her friend finished the potion and released the assassin's mind of control.
Lilly remind behind… the other witch took the potion to Dumbledore… Fawkes stayed guarding Lilly and McGonagall.
Lilly directed her attention to the stag…
She must have known… somehow… that it was James… suffering from the injuries… to weak to change back to his human form… she stayed with him the whole time… using her magic and remaining potion ingredients to heal him… didn't work to well until Fawkes's tears were used.
After that… the students recovered… Dumbledore made sure for all to understand that it was no one's fault, student wise, as to any actions that were taken… thankfully nothing more serious than some nasty curses and damage to the castle had been done during that whole night.
I left before the end of that year… I had found the information I was looking for so there was no more reason for me to stay.
Daken leaned back and closed his eyes, taking a deep breathe.
Silence followed as Harry and his friends sat reflecting on what they were told but it wasn't too long before Harry had a question about it.
"How is it you don't know that much about what happened in the greenhouse," asked Harry slowly, his eyes squinting, "But you know a lot about what happened with this assassin?"
Daken turned his head and looked at Harry, a small grin forming.
"It seems my vampire half wasn't enough to exclude me from that 'same species' limitation of the love potion," answered Daken slightly humored, "Even with vampire healing… I still have some small scars… where James's antlers pierced me."
None was sure how Harry took the news as he sat there, not saying anything or having any apparent emotions appear on his face.
"I never thought badly of James… I tend to believe I would have done the same thing in his place," continued Daken, as he turned his gaze to Hermione, "But I know he didn't take the ending to that entirely well… when I left... your father was still dealing with the pain… the self blame… of letting one person be brutally mutilated by a werewolf… then nearly killing me… even later learning of my vampire linkage."
"How did he get over it," asked Hermione quietly, matching Daken's line of sight?
"Whatever it was," answered Daken, "It came from Lilly."
A bell rang… which startled the group for a moment.
"Well it seems class is over," laughed Daken, "So the afternoon is yours."
Ron and Hermione stood up but Harry stayed in place. A deep thought apparent as Harry stared at Daken.
"Was there something else," mocked Daken, his slurring speech coming back, smiling?
"What happened between you and Maylen," asked Harry plainly and boldly?
Daken lost his smile and seemingly increase humored attitude at the question, even the effects of the whiskey seem to vanish.
"It's a long story… one I don't care to tell," replied Daken simply.
Harry stood up and reached for his school bag.
"It's actually a mixture of what was and was not done," spoke Daken unexpectedly.
Harry sat back down slowly and the other two followed.
"I'm a lot older than appear… I use to think I was older than Dumbledore… now I'm sure that's not right," continued Daken, not looking at them, "We met more than fifty years ago… exactly when I don't care to go into… but it was Maylen… and Markus... and I."
Daken stopped, a flood of memories crossed as his eyes seem to flicker a moment.
"How we met doesn't matter… but when we did… it didn't take long for us to become very close friends… or so I thought."
Daken reached into his robes and withdrew a frayed and wrinkled photograph.
"Many years went by… and I never knew… but Markus had a secret hate for humans… derived from the slaughter of his vampire mother and wizard father… and so at some point… he acted on it."
Darken stared hard at the photo, s mixture of anger and pain crossed his features.
"At the time vampires were very much despised… even more so than werewolves… they were only a problem during a full moon… we were considered hunters all the time… didn't matter if you were half breed or not… even the union of wizard and witch or vice versa was unacceptable."
Daken leaned forward and handed the photo to Ron, who showed it to Hermione before giving it to Harry. Ron and Hermione had silent surprised reactions to the photo and Harry could see why. Three people sat on a ledge, a girl between two boys. The girl was Maylen and she didn't look hardly any different in the photo than she did the last time Harry saw her and the same was true for Daken. The other boy, Harry assumed to be Markus, had a familiar look as well but wasn't sure what it was yet. Certain facial features, especially their eyes… seem to be alike.
"Suppose I should have notice something… we were all in America at the time a word of a dark hideously evil wizard called Malleck spread over time… but I didn't… I had a distraction."
"Maylen," spoke Hermione softly?
Daken raised his eyes and gave Hermione a piercing glance.
"Yes, I… fell in love with her…but like a true idiot human… I neglected to do anything about it besides admire her from afar."
Daken looked away again and took a deep breath again. It seemed as if the conversation was beginning to make him angry and he was trying to calm.
"Then about thirty years ago… my negligence did even more than just keep her waiting."
Daken paused for a moment and in that time Harry reflected on the dream he had of the wizards in the dark mist arguing. When Daken came too late after the one called Malleck was killed. A woman had done the spell bringing Malleck's doom.
"A new friend showed up… and didn't have any problems with showing interest in Maylen… or befriending Markus."
Daken's hands bawled to fists and a sour look filled his face.
"Skipping to the end… some things didn't seem to be right about that wizard… I thought it was just jealously as Maylen had pointed out once… but in time I learned he wasn't half of what he seemed to be."
Daken's voice was turning into a strange growling sound. At the corner of his eye, Harry could see that Ron and Hermione were having trouble understanding but Harry didn't.
"When I did have something solid I thought if Markus believed me then Maylen would as well… except when I got to the house during a dark misty night… I couldn't find either of them… but I found a room I never knew of before."
The wood of the plush chair Daken was sitting in seemed to be groaning as his arms pushed down.
"I found spell books, potions and a number of other things… then the bodies… missing witches and wizards believed to have been capture by Malleck… all here in Markus's house."
Daken's breathing was deep and rapid now, the silver in eyes began to glow to even Ron and Hermione could see it.
"I didn't want to believe it then… I found a copy of the Daily prophet on a table that spoke of a dark wizard causing trouble in England… I remembered the accent of that bastard…but within the short time I was in there, I set off some kind of trap as the entrance closed and a void spell activated, sealing me in the room."
Daken's vampire fangs began easy to see as he clenched his jaw together, letting only his lips move.
"I couldn't use magic, so I broke my hands getting through the stone wall to escape… I knew it had to be the same wizard… I didn't want to think about Malleck and Markus being the same."
Daken became quiet for a moment; Harry notice blood beginning to seep between Daken's clenched fingers.
"I was too late… I found Markus almost dead… and Maylen taken."
Daken closed his eyes and shook his head.
"I cried like some weak human rather than do something… I barely caught any of his last words from my pathetic sobbing… he said something like a spell before, at the time I thought to be death but he must have had a way to survive."
Hermione dared a chance to ask a question," How could he have survived death?"
Daken didn't look at her but responded with, "Markus, like me, was half vampire… and the Death spell is mainly meant for humans… his human half was killed but his vampire half must have survived… even after I buried him."
"Who was this wizard," asked Ron now, taking a chance himself?
Daken spoke slowly but nastily.
"At the time we only knew him as Marvelo… the name I learned twenty years later when I came here… the bastard… Tom…Marvelo… Riddle… the wizard named by the Daily Prophet then as… Voldemort."
Silence followed…
Ron sat dumbstruck…
Hermione covered her mouth with both hands as she remembered what Maylen said in the library about the wrong wizard she had met.
Harry's mind flashed back to the dark mist night in the woods and the other dark wizard as he held the photo graph.
"So she loved Markus," said Hermione suddenly, calming from the shock of hearing Voldemort's involvement.
"I would hope so," snapped Daken even nastier, "He was her twin brother after all…and my best friend!"
He wasn't the one I truly… felt something for…
Maylen's words replayed in Hermione's mind.
-That why she said to do things yourself, - thought Hermione.
"Do me a favor," snarled Daken, "And get out… my instincts… are kicking in… so you can't be here."
They quickly stood up and left, gathering their things in the classroom before exiting into the corridor.
As they entered the vacant corridor, they never noticed a creature on a window sill further back. A red feather bird known as a phoenix named Fawkes. As the bird perched on the window sill, the sun behind it cast a long shadow on the wall.
"We all have one, wouldn't you agree old friend," said Dumbledore, stepping from the shadow on the wall?
Fawkes gave a musical chirp of agreement.
"Each of us has one," said Dumbledore with a smile, "An Untold Story."
Next Chapter
Home for the Holiday