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: What can I say? Finals are a killer and a time consumer.
I'm going to poke a little fun at the marketing of Harry Potter products, not any kind of insult but again just a poke at it. A friend of mine suggested the idea and I decided it fit well and added to what I'm aiming for in this story.
I've been asked about it in e-mails, so I'm going to answer it here for every one. Where is Hagrid? Well from my own opinions of book four, Hagrid mentions a mission for Dumbledore, so I'm guessing he wouldn't be present for the fifth book. So I'm going with that assumption. If you think I'm wrong well that's probably true as obviously I'm not the originator of the series but I do use his absence to make a point in this chapter.
In the reviews, it was mentioned about a beta reader and side e-mails have said the same thing. So I suppose I do need one, given that I don't see the mistakes that a different reader would see. So if you would like to be a beta reader for my story then e-mail me at itmonster@hotmail.com and please have the subject line as "HPTW beta reader". I don't have a lot of time to read a lot of responses so I'll accept the first five responses. That may not seem fair and I apologize for that. Otherwise potential beta readers should know that I use MS Office XP to write my chapters and they'll be attachments through hotmail, meaning they'll be pre-scanned by Hotmail servers for viruses. Also I work at night so e-mails maybe labeled as early morning. Besides the grammar and the spelling, I would be happy to accept suggestions, as one major scene in this chapter is one from a friend of mine.
Completed 5/25/03
Revised 7/14/03
Harry Potter and the Turmoil Within
Chapter 22
Home for the Holiday
Evening in Gryffindor passed on mostly quiet but also oddly.
Harry and Ron sat at a table working or rather struggling with their homework while Hermione sat nearby reading another book. Occasionally she would ask them if they wanted help and Ron was quick to accept but rarely would Harry respond
. Instead she would have to look at his work and point out the problems and though he was politely thankful, it seemed like the homework was more of a chore being done simply because it was there than for any other reason.
The oddity of the evening came from the behavior of their peers. It was subtlety becoming obvious that many were trying to avoid Harry and the first years actually seemed afraid when he moved in their direction.
Once Harry sneezed and the room went dead silent. A second year dropped his book and the girl next to him screamed from surprise at the thud. The boys looked up from their table and gave everyone a funny look. Hermione followed in suit, as it was weird to see everyone in Gryffindor House so tense.
The strangeness grew with individuals as Ginny thought the whole scenario was hilarious and continued to comment on it but the twins weren't using it as an excuse to play a prank, as would have been expected.
Neville, the most nervous of boys Hermione had ever met, didn't seem to be worried or frighten as could have been expected. Rather he asked Harry and Ron about a game of Exploding Snap, which they agreed to play later.
The only explanation Hermione thought to be the reason was the incident in Potions with Snape's nasty comments. She silently wished to have had been there to maybe have helped in some way. However she couldn't deny the small note of satisfaction in knowing that Snape had gotten a bit of a return for his constant nastiness.
Another observation Hermione was bothered by was Harry's attentiveness. He was yawning a lot and seemed to be having trouble concentrating on anything. He'd drift off in class and then wake up a minute later… none of the teachers she had seen so far, including McGonagall, seem to have anything to say about it. Almost ignoring it. Hermione
got her chance to investigate when Harry left the table to fetch more parchment.
"What's going on with Harry," whispered Hermione walking up to the table, leaning towards Ron?
Ron gave her a questioned look and responded sarcastically, "You just noticed something wrong with him?"
Hermione gave Ron a disapproving look and snapped, "I meant why is he so distracted… he's seems to be tired constantly?"
"That's because he is," answered Ron worriedly, "He's awake when I fall asleep and already dressed when I wake up… if he is sleeping than its cat naps… otherwise he keeps looking through his photo album."
"Nightmares," said Hermione in a matter-of-fact like tone, looking away then turned back asking quickly, "What has he told you about them?"
"Nothing directly," answered Ron, "Besides the Parseltongue… I did… sort of… overhear him tell Daken that something in his dreams was saying some bad stuff about me… supposedly told Harry I might die."
Hermione remembered the moment with Harry in the girls' dormitory.
"Harry said something similar about me," remembered Hermione aloud, "Something in his dreams was referring to me as well."
"Whatever is going on with him," replied Ron, "It's because of those damn nightmares and he won't talk about it… and I… well I don't know how to ask?"
"Well no matter what he needs to sleep," pointed out Hermione,erH "And I'll do something about that."
"Like what you did before," asked Ron, "With the tea?"
Hermione just gave Ron a grin before Harry suddenly plopped down in his seat with more parchment. To avoid suspicion Hermione pretended to answer a prior question and Ron played along. After that Hermione went to the girls' dormitory to gather what she needed from her trunk. However she received a surprise in the process.
"Dobby," inquired Hermione surprised?
"Evening miss," replied the grinning elf.
Dobby stood by her trunk and was setting goblets onto a tray while filling a pitcher with pumpkin juice. There was also a small bottle setting on her trunk. An item she had not told anyone about but Dobby somehow knew about it.
"How did you know I would need all that," asked Hermione?
"Dobby just knows," answered the elf cheerily before apparating away.
Later on, as the evening grew late, Hermione was able to make her hot pumpkin juice again. Having not done so in a while, the boys welcomed it without question.
Hermione sat across from the boys, Crookshanks on her lap while keeping her eye on Harry, as did Ron.
After a short while Harry's eyes began to droop again and as he tried to resist it, Hermione couldn't help but be surprised. Harry resisted the coming dreariness by any means including talking about any subject or pacing near the fireplace. While resisting, Harry seemed slightly panicked and it did bother Hermione but she kept held strong against the urge to tell him what she did Ron followed along with any and all of Harry's attempts but it was becoming obvious that Harry was losing to his exhaustion. Harry dropped his mug and fell straight asleep, they knew it to be over.
Hermione just sat in place, continuing to sip her pumpkin juice, satisfied at succeeding.
"Its weird isn't it," spoke Ron suddenly, finishing off his mug.
"What is," inquired Hermione?
Ron gave her a questioning look, "At first Harry seemed to be getting better… then he keeps to himself… later he's better… than again to himself."
"Like he's in a chaotic circle," simplified Hermione.
"Any idea why," wondered Ron?
Hermione looked at Harry's sleeping form and answered quietly, "Only that something is eating at him… like it did me with Krum… except I think his might be worse."
Ron stood and pulled Harry up, draping Harry's arm around his shoulders.
"You want some help," asked Hermione, "He looks heavy?'
"No… I got it," answered Ron, easily dragging Harry out of the common room, "I just hope his nightmares don't bother him too much."
"They won't," stated Hermione simply.
Ron paused for a second giving Hermione a questioned look but said nothing and continued on.
With the boys gone and only Crookshanks present, Hermione withdrew a small bottle from her inner robe pocket and examined its nearly empty contents.
"Almost all gone," whispered Hermione, "Only one dose left."
The next day was Care of Magical Creatures, which seemed to drone on as it had done so since the start of the term. Many students weren't sure which had been worse, the substitute's boring lectures about simple things such as slime slugs or stone mites compared to the creatures Hagrid would show that could poison, tear off a limb or inflict some other bodily harm.
"At least with Hagrid, you never knew what to expect," boringly sighed Ron whispering to Harry, "Like giant damn spiders."
Like the other students, Hufflepuffs and Gryffindors, Ron stood in the cold snow of the late morning while Mr. Gridden lectured about some creature. Harry grinned in response and Ron watched him from the corner of his eye. Harry had still been asleep when Ron awoke. To avoid being late, Ron had to drag Harry to the showers and awaken him with a cold spray. Harry had been quite surprised to wake up but Ron was glad to see that at least he looked better. He did promise himself to find out what Hermione was using to do this.
Like Ron, Harry paid little attention to the lecture as he kept glancing at Hermione. She was constantly looking towards Hagrid's beast pen with a confused look.
"What is it," whispered Harry, leaning towards her?
Hermione whispered back, "Don't you hear that?"
Harry strained his ears but besides Mr. Gridden and his own breathing, Harry couldn't hear anything.
Hermione seemed to be bothered heavily by what only her ears seem to be receiving and after a few minutes, it seemed she had enough.
Hermione walked away from the group and with a quick exchange of puzzled glances Ron and Harry followed a few steps behind.
Mr. Gridden called out but they didn't listen. Instead Hermione opened the gate to the pen and walked in. Ron closed it as Harry continued to follow.
Hermione continued on towards a bulky wooden structure with a large opening in the front for a person or something else to pass easily through.
Harry barely had time to notice the other creatures like griffins or some other he didn't recognize only that Hermione was entering the wooden structure with a name painted above the entrance.
A painted name that said… Fluffy.
Ron caught up and asked quietly, "Why are we going into Fluffy's doghouse… am I the only one who remembers that thing wanted to rip us apart last time… and almost did?"
"No," answered Harry quietly, "Try telling her that."
Hermione stepped through the entrance without hesitating and the boys hurried to follow her, their wands drawn.
The site that greeted them was not what could have been expected.
Fluffy was there but didn't do anything besides lay on a large mat in the corner.
All it did was give them a strange look, then turn away, letting off an unusual whine
"Well… that's different," said Ron watching Fluffy.
"Why is he just laying there," asked Harry?
Hermione walked slowly up to Fluffy and the creature shifted its heads, beginning to growl.
"Hermione," whispered Ron, "I don't think it wants you to get near."
She didn't listen but continued to approach.
Fluffy turned and stood up suddenly. It gave giving Hermione a straight look and its growl intensified.
"Ms. Granger," shouted a voice from behind them," Stand back!"
Before they had a chance to look a spell flew by and hit Fluffy. Chains appeared and wrapped around the snouts of all three heads. The canine immediately stood up and began to paw at the chains.
"Stop that," demanded Hermione, looking to the spell caster, which the group learned to be Mr. Gridden!
The substitute professor ignored her and spoke another spell. It hit Fluffy and a new chain appeared, connecting to the previous ones and then anchored to a conjured spike in the ground. The conjuring forced Fluffy to bend down into a terrible position and the creature continued to paw at the chains, whining slightly.
Suddenly everything went silent, even the other creatures in the pen were no longer making any sounds. The brisk winds that blew the snow and chapped the skin raw on any student outside stopped immediately. The lake water, normally swirling from activity underneath became calm with not a single ripple. The ground upon which they stood slowly began to tremble.
"I said stop," warned Hermione in a calm manner.
Mr. Gridden seem unaffected by the current moments as he responded," That blasted monstrosity should be locked away or destroyed."
Hermione responded with nothing at first but turned her body and walked towards the substitute.
Ron and Harry watched, as Hermione's brown eyes took on a strange glow in the dim light of Fluffy's residence.
"Call Fluffy that… or threaten him again," plainly and calmly stated Hermione," And I'll show you what a monstrosity really is."
"Ms. Granger… prefect or not I'll not be," began Mr. Gridden before Hermione cut in.
"Is that," voiced Hermione loudly, interrupting," Clear?"
At the last word, Mr. Gridden's wand cracked from the tip to the handle and split in two. A small substance, presumably the magical core, fell out.
"I believe you should return to the rest of your class," spoke a new and familiar voice in the dark area of the room.
"Headmaster," snapped Mr. Gridden obviously shaken," This Gryffindor's behavior is unacceptable."
Dumbledore stepped into view of the dim light, an unsettle expression filled his face.
"What is unacceptable," stated Dumbledore in his rarely used authoritive tone," Is that a wizard like yourself… licensed to be able to care for such creatures… does not have the open mind or heartfelt understanding… when such a creature is in clear pain."
Mr. Gridden made ready to respond but Dumbledore cut him off.
"Why was I not made aware of Fluffy's condition," asked Dumbledore?
Mr. Gridden gave Dumbledore a scornful look and answered snappishly," Because it's fine… it eats… drinks… sleeps… otherwise all it does is lay about in here."
"And do you not think that strange, considering that Fluffy is barely seven years old," continued to question Dumbledore?
Hermione had not said anything but her eyes continued to illuminate brighter with their glow. The slight tremors in ground began to elevate. Regardless of the exchange between the professors, it was clear Hermione was becoming angrier and their surroundings were responding to that. Even Fluffy lay back on the ground again, drooping all his ears and gave off a small whine again. Some of the other creatures in the pen began giving off frightened sounds as well.
"Fluffy is too dangerous to do much with," snapped Mr. Gridden," Hagrid's instructions are ridiculous… like this thing is no more harmful than simple puppy."
"Return to your class and dismiss it," stated Dumbledore stepping forward," Then you have until the end of the day to leave Hogwarts."
Mr. Gridden became shocked at Dumbledore's statement and stared back in response.
"There are many requirements for Care of Magical Creatures subject," stated Dumbledore with finality, "And one requirement I seek… which is Hagrid's greatest trait… is to actually care… just because something is dangerous by nature does not make it a monster by that same token… Hagrid understands that where you do not… good day."
Mr. Gridden turned on his heel and stormed out.
Hermione turned and rushed back to Fluffy.
"Help me get these chains off," shouted Hermione.
Ron walked up to Fluffy and yanked the spike easily out of the ground. Hermione and Harry gave each a quick puzzled glance at how easily Ron had done that. The next thing Ron did, surprised them further. Hermione was withdrawing her wand but before a spell could be used Ron reached up and snapped a few links apart with his bare hands. Fluffy shook off the loosen chains as Hermione gave another puzzled glance to Harry.
"How did you do that," snapped Hermione?
Ron looked at her, shook his head at Fluffy and responded, "I'm not the one you should be wondering about."
Hermione looked back to Fluffy, who was starting to sniff at her while a low growl emanated from him.
Harry gripped his wand tighter.
"He won't hurt us," replied Hermione.
"How do you know that," asked Harry quietly?
Hermione gave everyone a puzzled look before answering, "I just do… like I feel as though he won't… I guess I wasn't hearing him earlier… I think I was… feeling him."
To their surprise Fluffy stopped his previous actions and started licking Hermione. Its tail began to wag slowly and its ears perked up. Aside from being huge and having three heads, Fluffy began to act like any friendly canine. It was completely different from the first time they encountered Fluffy when it tried to kill them.
"As you know Hagrid has not been present since the start of the term," explained Dumbledore," He is currently completing an assignment for me… the reason for Fluffy's troubles is the flute."
"The flute," inquired Ron?
"Yes… you see Fluffy likes music and Hagrid always played the flute everyday since bringing him here," continued Dumbledore," And his instructions to Mr. Gridden were to do just that… or rather just play music for a few hours each day and let Fluffy have a run about."
"So Fluffy just wants music," said Harry?
"I felt like he was lonely," said Hermione confused?
Dumbledore smiled at them and said, "Both of you are correct… Fluffy misses Hagrid and wants music… Fluffy has a special bond with Hagrid and it started with music… that happens with everyone… we each have a special bond with another that creates the foundation of our relationships… and Hagrid, like Fluffy, falls asleep to music as well… Hagrid's father played the flute before his passing… so Hagrid learned the flute and now plays it for Fluffy."
"I never knew that about Hagrid," responded Harry quietly looking towards the ground.
"You can know a person for some time and still have such unique things to learn of them," replied Dumbledore.
The Headmaster looked to Hermione and added," Such as what their life was like before they came to Hogwarts and how it has been made better."
Hermione's eyes became distant and she turned from Dumbledore to Fluffy.
The Headmaster looked to Ron and added again," Another example may be what someone valued them-selves prior and how those views changed."
Ron looked away and picked up the chains, tossing them out the opening.
Harry looked up in puzzlement at the Headmaster and asked," Who do you mean?"
Dumbledore just smile at Harry and answered," Those were just merely possible examples… anyone could feel that way… I will see to it that Fluffy receives his daily musical needs."
Dumbledore with drew his wand and conjured a harp, which began playing immediately. Within seconds Fluffy began to fall asleep to Hermione's satisfaction. The trio left the pen quietly not saying anything to each other, each having their own thoughts. However, the neigh of a horse caught their attentions.
They looked to see a large unicorn standing outside the Forbidden forest staring at them.
"Ah… Nubius," spoke Dumbledore suddenly behind them," It's been many years since she has stepped from the forest."
"She's beautiful," commented Hermione in awe.
"I do agree," spoke Dumbledore," Nubius is one of the first unicorns to have been brought here to Hogwarts for their safety nearly five hundred years ago... unicorns live extensively long life times and can only bare young once every twenty years… it has taken all that time to help the unicorn population to grow to a healthy number."
"Why is she out here," asked Ron?
"That is a mystery to which we may never know," answered Dumbledore," Unicorns are reclusive and rarely approach humans to be seen… they allow a select few over the years to come and see them… but it is nearly legend for a unicorn to be the one that approaches."
Harry stared at the magnificent creature and notice it wasn't looking at them… it was looking at Hermione.
"What does it mean," asked Hermione?
"Many consider it a kind of blessing or sign of some sort… something to that effect for a unicorn to present itself," answered Dumbledore quietly," Whatever its reasons… I can say surely it is a good thing."
Suddenly Hermione remembered the incident with Harry a while ago when Patti and Lavender surprised them with a camera. She had found a parchment with tarot card descriptions and remembered that the Unicorn card had been one of them. She had forgotten about it since stuffing it in her trunk and realized that even if it was rubbish, it needed to be investigated.
A few moments passed and Nubius sprinted back into the forest. The group headed back to Hogwarts. During lunch Ron was strangely quiet through even during Charms that afternoon, Hermione seemed distracted by something as well.
When evening came, Hermione stayed nearby helping anyone who asked with his or her homework while reading in the meantime. It was then Hermione noticed something. It almost all evening for her fellow Gryffindor fifth years to do their homework but she was getting hers done, all of it, within an hour. Another realization was from the book she was reading, she had checked it out of the library yesterday along with three other books and now the one she had was the only one left to read. She realized this had been going on for some time now. Checking out books and returning them almost a day later, having read them all so easily and quickly, which made the librarian start to give her a funny looks.
-I know I like to read, -thought Hermione, closing the book a moment, -But I didn't think I could read that fast? -
As the evening passed Hermione considered her plan. The parchment of tarot card readings were described with only basic descriptions and considering the source's point of view, it would be the scandalous version of the reading. To get a proper reading would require a Divination book on tarot cards. Borrowing from Lavender or just about anyone else would be difficult except Ron.
-He'll need his book for tomorrow's class and his homework, -thought Hermione disappointed.
She only had two options for the moment, either the library or Rela. With Rela being outside the House, getting her book would cause less of a stir.
The next problem is when and where to do it. In Gryffindor house was out the question because of too many prying eyes. Finally Hermione decide that the Christmas holiday was best. Most the students would be gone and she could get Ron's book then.
Evening passed and students went to their dorms. Hermione bid goodnight to Ron and to Harry, touching his shoulder in the process. Harry and Ron left for their dorm as well a short time later having finished their homework. Ron was buttoning his pajama top when he spoke up.
"Harry… was it just me or did you see Hermione's eyes glow," asked Ron," Like how you said mine did?"
"Yeah I saw it too," answered Harry, closing his trunk, "She did the same thing in Hogsmeade with Neville."
"When Dobby mentioned or rather said you were some kind of… Elemental," started Ron before Harry cut in?
"Actually Dobby said that of all of us… you… me… and Hermione," interrupted Harry," As well as others but he didn't say who."
Ron didn't anything more at first until Harry inquired himself.
"Why… do you know what he was talking about," inquired Harry?
Ron didn't look straight at Harry but just gave a glance as he removed his slippers.
"Not really," explained Ron," There's an old story mum used to tell me about something that involved creatures called Elementals… but I don't remember it well."
"Well if it's a story," replied Harry getting into bed," I suppose I could look in the library tomorrow while you're in Divination."
Harry leaned over, pulled his journal and writing materials from a drawer in his nightstand. He dipped the quill in ink and began to scribble away.
Ron watched Harry as best as he could but as time passed, so did he is ability to resist the need for sleep.
The next morning when Ron awoke, he found Harry already dressing. One thing Ron knew for sure about Harry was that previous to this year, he had never been an early rise person.
-Damn he did it again, - thought Ron.
Ron didn't voice his thoughts but hurried himself around to leave with Harry. They both left their fifth year dorm together and met Hermione in the common room, awake and ready as always.
"Why is she always so damn perky in the morning," grumbled Ron to himself?
After a quick exchange of morning greetings, they left for breakfast like many of their House peers. Only along the way Hermione was checking her bag and made a realization.
"I was sure it was in here with the rest," mumble Hermione?
"What was," asked Harry?
"I had some more library books to take back today," explained Hermione, slightly confused," And I was sure I put them all in here last night... I'll just go back and get it then
Harry gave Ron a quick glance before asking, "Do you want us to go with you?"
Hermione shook her head and answered, "No… go ahead… I'm not really hungry so I'll catch up in a minute."
She turned and headed back for Gryffindor tower as fast as her body and Prefect position would allow. She entered the common room and headed for her dormitory. Having acquired the book intended, Hermione made to leave her House. She was about to take her first step onto the stairs descending into the common room when a loud screeching noise reached her ears from the boys' dormitory.
-Everyone should be at breakfast, - thought Hermione, -Then what's causing that? -
Leaving the book on the handrail and withdrawing her wand, Hermione quietly walked to the door. Hearing other noises, Hermione turned the handle and entered quickly, pointing her wand. The site that greeted her was one of great surprise and shock.
Hedwig sat at an open window, making threatening hoots with her wings spread. Other owls hovered in the air, some caring packages while others held letters. Apparently Hedwig was refusing to let them leave unless the cargo was left behind. The bed baring Harry's trunk was littered with damaged letters and talon ripped packages.
As if that hadn't been enough to start a day with such strangeness, Dobby's presence added to it. The elf stood by the fireplace, its eyes staring with terror at Hermione. Dobby had a pack of letters in his hands and a pile next to him. Hermione glanced at the fireplace and could see numerous parchments and boxes burning within. A few small pieces of parchments sat on Harry's trunk with a few unopened letters. The other owls suddenly dropped their cargo and Hedwig allowed them to exit but remained perched on the windowsill.
"Dobby," demanded Hermione, "What is going on here?"
Dobby's long ears drooped and he looked away, nervously tossing more letters into the flames.
"Dobby is keeping these away from sirs," replied the elf quietly.
Hermione stepped forward, putting her wand away and picked up some of the damaged letters. It was address to Harry from someone Hermione didn't know and a quick peruse over the rest showed similar letters. From people and places Hermione never heard of and probably Harry didn't know either.
Some letters had the smell of perfumes and hearts drawn on them. Others showed the untidy and simplistic print of a child's writing. Some were very professional and had the feel of business like print on the parchment.
"Perfumes, "whispered Hermione, trailing off, "Girls use perfumes on letters for."
Hermione gave another look over the letters and packages then eyed Dobby with a question forming in her mind.
"Dobby," she asked slowly, "Is this… are these… is all this… fan mail?"
Dobby only nodded and tossed the rest of the letters in his hands into the flames.
"Why didn't Harry say he was getting more of these," inquired Hermione further, "And why are you just burning them like that?"
"Dobby does not want sirs to be bothered miss," answered the elf, "Sirs does not know he is getting these."
Hermione remembered hearing what happened when the Weasley twins made a show of things with the gifts Harry was getting. She also remembered the heated argument that followed. It had been a while since Hedwig delivered a letter to Harry in the Great Hall.
"So Hedwig is rounding up the mail," deduced Hermione, "And you're burning all of it so Harry doesn't know."
Dobby shook his head, indicating no and pointed to Harry's trunk replying with, "Not all of it miss."
Hermione looked down to the few letters on Harry's trunk and the small parchments she had seen earlier when surmising the scene.
There were three letters from Sirius, Hagrid and Professor Lupin. But the smaller parchments Hermione did not recognize.
The parchments were the size of small cards with very little writing that Hermione didn't recognized. There was a small picture of a building on the top of them and it looked like Gringotts bank. The only understandable writing Hermione could discern was numbers and symbols of money.
"Five hundred galleons thirty sickles and eighteen knuts… forty sickles and five knuts… nine galleons three sickles and two knuts," read aloud Hermione, cycling through them, "What are these?"
"Bank notes," stated a firm voice from behind answering the question.
Hermione turned and found McGonagall standing at the doorway.
"They're bank notes, Ms. Granger," answered McGonagall again, "Deposit notes to be more exact."
Hermione stared at the Professor both with shock at having been a girl caught in the boys' dormitory, especially a Prefect and that Harry was receiving money for some reason. McGonagall interpreted Hermione's thoughts through her facial responses and continued to answer.
"We'll ignore the rule about the dormitory genders as you have discovered the answer to the posts I have been receiving," further explained McGonagall, "Gringotts owled me this morning to say they had not received a response from the deposit notes."
Hermione turned her eyes back to the notes in her hands and looked through them again.
"You may not know yet but Potter's… activities… have spawn a frenzy of marketing," spoke McGonagall, "Toys have been created… the chocolate frog cards… and many other things… and like muggles… to use a famous person's name to sell an item requires that the person be entitled to a percentage of the profit… hence the deposit notes."
Hermione thought more as McGonagall spoke and remembered how Harry had reacted to the chocolate frogs at the Burrow. She realized it was most likely a good thing that Dobby was hiding this from Harry… at least for now.
"So what do we them then," asked Hermione?
McGonagall stepped forward and gently took hold of the notes in Hermione's hands.
"Gringotts requires a sign response before the deposits can be made and the goblins are very particular about their paperwork, "answered McGonagall, "Harry is too young to legally sign for these but as his Head of House, I can do so for him and send them back."
Hermione gave them to the Professor without resistance and watched as she pocketed them.
"How do we tell Harry," asked Hermione quietly?
Dobby sprinted forth and grabbed Hermione's hand.
"No miss," sobbed the elf, "Sirs must not know of this… not now… but when he is better!"
"Why not," inquired Hermione, kneeling close to the floor, lowering herself to eye level with the elf?
"Harry Potter will be very angry," sniffed the elf, nervously, "He and his Weazy may fight again… that would be very bad."
Hermione peered at the elf but she could feel somehow that the elf was hiding something.
"Why," asked Hermione again?
The elf looked away and seemed to be contemplating a thought when he finally answered with, "Lightening and Fire not always good to each other."
"Dobby," began Hermione but the elf pulled its hands away.
In a near instant, Dobby snapped his fingers and all the remaining post shot from Harry's bed, stuffing them-selves into the fireplace. Dobby apparated away while Hermione remained knelt near the floor. She watched as the all the remaining correspondence created a roaring flame. Sparks flashed as packages and letters endowed with spells and potions of sorts were destroyed.
-This has to be really serious for Dobby to be so reckless, - thought Hermione, - Even in front of McGonagall. -
Then she remembered the description between Ron and Harry. Especially how weird things had begun to act, where with Harry everything became subdue but with Ron all seemed active in some way.
"You should get to the Great Hall for breakfast," spoke McGonagall, surprising Hermione, "You'll need your stamina as we finish this week for the holiday break… many of the professors, including myself, shall be going over much of the previous material."
McGonagall turned and walked away from the dorm and Hermione remained a moment, watching the blaze of flames die down before leaving as well. Breakfast ended at the students went their separate ways to classes. Hermione went to her Arithmacy and Ron to Divination as Harry headed for the library. As the morning progressed Harry wandered the library in search of the story Ron mentioned and the clue Dobby gave. After a while though, the librarian became annoyed by Harry's wanderings.
"Is there something I can help you find," snapped the librarian," Or you do you enjoy trying to wear the floor out?"
"Don't," began Harry but instead blushed slightly and bit his tongue as the first thing he wanted say would have only gotten him in much trouble.
"I'm looking for an old story that was told to young children," answered Harry a moment later.
"Aren't you a bit old for children's stories," asked the librarian with a tone of disbelief?
Harry felt his skin tingle and hair stand on end as he snapped back loudly and with a dark tone, "Considering I didn't have parents for that… maybe I'd like to catch up on a few things; is that so wrong?"
The bookshelves on either side of him rattled slightly and the librarian took a step back, glancing around for a second.
"Do you know what kind of story you were seeking," asked the librarian, her voice much lighter, "Or was there a specific title you knew of?"
Harry thought a moment and answered, "A story about creatures called… Elementals?"
The librarian gave Harry a quick piecing look before she answered, "The only one I'm familiar with is called… Degarus, the Chained… and its in the section labeled Myths of Olds… if you like I will help you to get it."
"No thank you… I'll find it," replied Harry leaving her behind without a goodbye.
A few minutes later, Harry had found the book. The only difficulty had been reading the title under the dust. The book seemed as though it had been in place for years but never moved or even touched by a probing finger.
As he brushed the excess dust from the book, there was an image on the cover. It was odd because images in the magic world moved but this one didn't. Harry assumed that to mean that the book was written before that magic was developed.
The image on the cover was a black and white portrait sketch. The image consisted of a dragon sleeping while covered in chains.
- This is a story you tell kids, - thought Harry judging from the image.
He dusted more of the book before turning back to head for the front desk.
Harry was about to step around the last corner when he heard Hermione and the librarian having a slightly heated argument.
"Ms. Granger as enamored as I am that you so enjoy reading," spoke the librarian, "I would prefer you check out books you are actually going to read."
"I did read all of them," replied Hermione.
"Five books in less than three days," responded the librarian, "That would be quite difficult even for a very astute reader."
"Fine then, ask me any question from any book," retorted Hermione.
And that was exactly what happened, Harry watched from the corner as the librarian picked up different books at random, flipped through some pages and asked Hermione about the material. It continued on for a few minutes and even Harry was surprised to see that Hermione answered correctly to all of them as he had to agree with the librarian to the difficulty of believing a person could read so much material so quickly.
The librarian relented having apparently been proven wrong by Hermione and placed the return to books to one side as Hermione handed her three new books to check out.
Harry suddenly remembered that Hermione had a class at the same time.
"What happened to your class," asked Harry approaching?
Hermione practically jumped out of skin, as it seemed to feel, having not expecting to run into Harry.
"Oh Harry… oh well the professor decided to give us independent time and go over any material with him privately or in groups on whatever we were having trouble with," answered Hermione quickly," So I decided to use my time to come here… why are you here?"
"Got a book," replied Harry, showing Hermione the book, "I'm trying to figure out something Dobby told me and Ron said it reminds him of a story from his mum."
Hermione looked at the cover and a puzzled thought crossed her face as she looked at the image.
"Hermione," slowly asked Harry, "How is it you can read so many books this fast?"
Hermione handed Harry back the book and thought a moment, her skin beginning to blush.
"Well… I'm not entirely sure how," replied Hermione, blushing still, "But it'll sound foolish if I tell what it seems like."
"Not compare to some of the things I've done," responded Harry with a smirk.
Hermione looked into Harry's eyes and for a moment began entranced by the emerald green. Suddenly it didn't seem so foolish anymore to say what she thought.
"Every time I open a book… I start flipping forward because it seems like I have read it already," explained Hermione, "It almost seems like just touching the book is all I have to do to know what's in it…like I said it sounds foolish."
Harry thought about Hermione's answered, what Dobby had said about them and the way Hermione reacted with Fluffy.
- She just knew that Fluffy was in trouble, - thought Harry.
Then he remembered the tarot cards and the thing in his nightmares.
Who did you think it was referring to?
Then Harry remembered something from his present Herbiology book.
Magical properties can be implied to soils for plants as Earth readily absorbs anything it comes in contact with. Animals remains left from a hunt or from natural causes eventually break down and return to the soil as the same is true for magic creatures as their magical properties become absorbed into the earth.
"I don't think so," commented Harry, "Maybe… it's just natural for you to just… absorb the stuff in books easily."
Hermione smiled brightly, took her books from the librarian and waited for Harry to check out before they left together. Like Harry, she never noticed as they left that the librarian was writing a note, which she sent off with an owl nearby, glancing at the two as she did so.
Most of the morning had already pasted so they went to the Great Hall to await their peers and Ron. Hermione suddenly felt strange and even nervous with Harry so she immediately opened one of her books and began reading. Harry didn't seem to notice her quick reaction and took to reading his own book as well.
A short while later the bell rang and students came to the Great Hall. Ron slumped down next to Harry, greatly flustered.
"What's the matter," inquired Harry?
Ron gave him a quick glance and answered, "A project we're working on, that is Rela and I, is having some problems and Trelawney had us use the Tarot cards to do some kind of background thing where we interpreted our own past."
"Didn't go too well I take it," asked Harry?
"Actually it worked exactly right," corrected Ron, "It just wasn't very enjoyable."
"Why is that," asked Hermione now?
"It just wasn't," answered Ron before he began eating away at a piece of steak.
Ron tore at the steak in an obviously angry manner, so Hermione and Harry decided to let him cool off a bit before asking any further about it.
A minute later a small pop sounded in the room and every one gave their direct attention to Dumbledore.
"As many of you already know this is the final week before the nice break of the Christmas holiday," spoke Dumbledore to the students, "And some of you may or may not have notice that we have not looked into who would be staying here at Hogwarts for that duration."
Murmurs began to break out among the tables and Hermione even questioned to her-self about the delay.
"There is a reason for this and no it is not because we have forgotten," continued Dumbledore, "Rather the governors have asked for there to a be as few students as possible as they wish to conduct a particular search of the castle."
The room went quiet and everyone continued to remain attentive to Dumbledore.
"As many of you already know the museum of dark arts was brought down and as the Daily Prophet reported, a number of items were stolen… you also know that there has been trouble in this school with illegal magic… magic that these stolen items can be used to do… thus a search of the school is to be conducted for this reason… only under very strict circumstances will any student be allowed to remain… and I will tell you now that are very few students who fit those requirements."
Dumbledore sat back in his seat and a moment passed before the Hall filled with the chattering of students.
Hermione turned and stared at Harry, who in turned just looked back. Ron sat silently, chewing slowly on a piece of steak and looked slightly grim before he glanced at his friends. In their stares and silent glances, an agreed thought came to mind; Harry would most likely remain while they could not.
They ate their lunch silently for the rest of the time until the bell rang for afternoon classes. They left with the other students and headed for double Transfiguration.
On the way Hermione finally broke the silence.
"Do you think… you'll have to go back to the Dursleys' for the holiday," slowly asked Hermione?
Harry thought a second before answering, "Not likely… Dumbledore said there would special circumstances."
Harry continued his answered but changed his voice to more a nasty tone with, "After all they can't send Harry Potter to the Muggles with Malleck and Voldemort running about, can they?"
"Maybe they'll let you stay with someone else," inquired Ron?
Harry looked at him but Hermione face changed to worry and she voiced why.
"Not likely," she replied quietly, "You… need to have permission from a guardian… and that's… the Dursleys."
"What about Snuggles," added Ron?
"We've only a few days," responded Hermione, "Do you think we could reach him in time?"
Ron looked hopeful until Harry spoke up.
"Don't bother," spoke up Harry, "He's after Wormtail… I don't want to bother him about this."
"I don't think he'd see this as a bother," commented Hermione.
"Let's just get to class," replied Harry plainly, "We can talk about it later… you two go ahead, I'm going to get my book out first."
Ron and Hermione silently seem to agree as they turned and entered the classroom. Harry reached into his bag and pulled out his Transfiguration book from within. He looked his book and suddenly couldn't stop him-self as his grip became tighter. The book began to bend and the bronze image on the cover snapped in two.
"Something wrong Potter," came voice suddenly beside him?
Harry turned suddenly to see Professor Snape standing by.
Harry scowled at his Potions Professor and snapped, "Not anything I intend to tell you."
Snape expression made it clear he wasn't too accepting of Harry's sudden attitude but McGonagall cut in before anything further could happen.
"Come Mr. Potter," interrupted McGonagall with a brief look to Snape, "We'll be reviewing and you won't want to miss anything."
Harry took a seat next Ron and a moment later the bell rang signaling for class to begin. Snape observed Harry from the corridor watching the boy wizard message his forehead, seeing Ron whisper to him and Hermione sneak glances from up front. A sound behind the professor indicated the presence of another.
"Daken is right… Potter is getting worse," quietly spoke Snape, "Would you not agree Headmaster?"
Dumbledore came up beside him and both noticed as McGonagall glanced from the front of the room in their direction.
"I once said before that everyone goes through dark times in their life," replied Dumbledore, "And this is that time for Harry."
Snape looked hard at the Headmaster and added, "It may become that for everyone if we don't stop him."
Dumbledore matched his gaze with the Potions Master and replied, "How would you suggest we do that… use potions to subdue him… like spells people develop resistances to continuous uses of such magical infringements?"
"Lilly would want this prevented," snapped Snape quietly.
Dumbledore gaze back at Snape a moment before answering, "Yes that is true… but like her… you know that to stop or delay a coming storm… is only to make it worse."
"Then what have we been doing all this time," asked Snape, looking to Harry?
Dumbledore stood quietly for a moment before he placed his hand on the shoulder of the Potion Master and answered solemnly, "Delaying… and hoping."
A moment of silence passed between them before Snape spoke again.
"I saw the special circumstances requirements for the students… and I couldn't help but notice that only Potter fit those circumstances," asked Snape, "Which means he will be here at Hogwarts… alone… while we conduct this ridiculous search?"
"It's not so surprising," answered Dumbledore quietly but placid as well, "Considering that it was Lucius Malfoy who determined those requirements and delivered them."
Neither spoke again but observed McGonagall's class and Harry's attempts to remain alert. When the bell rang, students went their own ways for the afternoon until the evening feast was available.
Harry, Hermione and Ron went to the Owlery, for their destination after class.
"Lets hope the owl can make to him and back," said Hermione.
Ron was looking around the Owlery and asked, "Where's Hedwig?"
Hermione paused a moment while tying the letter to a school owl but then answered with," She's probably out for a flight."
Harry leaned against a vacant wall staring out blankly.
"Do you think we'll get a reply in time," asked Ron?
Hermione didn't answer but Harry did, "Probably not."
"You never know," snapped Hermione becoming annoyed with is resistance!
Harry shrugged his shoulders and began to walk towards the stairs.
"I have some reading to do," said Harry and descended the stairs.
Hermione and Ron exchange a quick look before following. Hermione paused a moment to watch the school owl fly off with her letter.
- I hope he gets in time, - thought Hermione.
The last few days winded down, students became so excited at the approaching holiday that only a few professors could keep order. Harry did his homework quickly and from quick glances, Hermione could see that much of it was incorrect. All Harry would do was read the book he borrowed from the library.
Each passing day, Hermione and Ron kept a watchful and hopeful eye out for an owl to them from Sirius. Hermione even snuck into the boys' dormitory to check if Hedwig had brought it to Harry's bed but still nothing. Harry didn't make things any easier by not showing any interest in the topic or even mentioning it him-self. Hermione suspected that either Harry didn't want Sirius's response or was simply trying to hide his real feelings about it.
Harry would sit by the fire and continue to read his book. Meal times he was talkative enough but in class he continued to drift off. Unfortunately the remaining days passed without response from Sirius.
Hermione packed her things slowly while the other girls in her dormitory raced around excitedly. She found the parchment of tarot card descriptions from Lavender but she was in no mood to deal with it then and shoved it into the trunk. Ron was much the same way only instead of slowly packing; he stuffed his trunk angrily. Harry sat in the common room watching as his Gryffindor peers said quick goodbyes to each other and to him before heading out the portrait hole. When Hermione and Ron were ready, they set off together to the castle entrance.
"See you in a week, "grumbled Ron, looking away.
Hermione looked at Harry, standing in front of them with a smile but she could see something in his eyes, they were less green than usual again, a sure sign of something happening within.
Regardless of what people saw or thought, Hermione launched herself forward and wrapped Harry in a tight embrace. It a moment before she felt his hands touch her back and she fought back her anger of the situation enough to give an encouraging farewell until the end of the holiday.
With so much to be said and little time for it, as they were ushered to the horseless carriages, Hermione and Ron left Harry in the entrance. She got enough of a last look to see Harry turn away and head further into the castle interior.
Outside, at the carriages, Ron snatched Hermione's trunk and easily lifted into the storage net. Hermione climbed into the carriage to find Rela already there and Ron followed a second later.
After a few minutes passed, Ron looked out the window, to see that the other carriages were moving but not theirs. Ron was about to reach for the door when it flew open and Dumbledore climbed in. With the Headmaster unexpected arrival, the carriage began moving, following along with the others.
"I hope its okay for me to sneak ride," said Dumbledore humorously, "It has been sometime since I've seen the students off on the train."
For a while the carriage traveled along its path, the wood creaking and groaning as it hit bumps and winter winds blew against it. They all sat silently during that time.
Rela kept glancing between Hermione and Ron, and then nervously looking out the window as the carriage rattled its way to Hogsmeade.
The image of Harry in the entrance, watching them leave, turning away and all the while his eyes were in that state kept haunting Hermione. She tried to think of anything else but it was no use, the images continued. After an undetermined amount of time, Hermione could stand it no more and had to say what was on her mind.
However, Ron spoke before she could utter a word.
"What is going on with Harry," demanded Ron, quite rudely to Dumbledore?
Dumbledore just smiled at Ron, but before replying Ron snapped at him again.
"Answer me," growled Ron, "You always seem to know what's going on and I'll bet every frog card I have that you're clued in on him!"
Rela gasped at Ron's sudden attitude and Hermione couldn't do more than just stare at him.
Dumbledore's smile thinned and gave Ron an examining look.
"Ron," whispered Hermione?
Ron gave her a quick glare before turning back to Dumbledore.
"A comparison is the best way to start the answer," spoke Dumbledore quietly.
Ron said nothing but continued to glare.
"Over four years of Herbiology you have, I presume in all that time, learned many things," continued Dumbledore, inquiring slightly?
Hermione and Ron shook their heads and Rela nodded slightly.
"And Ron, your mother has her own garden, correct," asked Dumbledore?
Ron shook his head but his irritation was becoming clear.
"Many seedlings start out in pots and begin their growth in such a small place," explained Dumbledore before asking, "And what happens as the plant increases in size and matures?"
Ron was beginning to look even more displeased but Hermione answered the question.
"You transplant them from the pot to a garden or someplace better," answered Hermione, a slight confusion in her tone.
"Yes," replied Dumbledore, "And what happens if that is not done?"
Rela answered the question with, "The roots bind and plant suffers."
Ron's glare lightened and confusion began to take its place.
"Exactly," piped Dumbledore, "The plant begins to suffer when it cannot grow anymore."
As confusion crept into Ron's features anger followed, the explanation was not satisfying him.
"When Hagrid first got Fluffy," continued Dumbledore despite Ron's reactions, "The dear creature was in terrible shape… the wizard who had him was unaware of the size Fluffy would reach and kept it in a small room… when Hagrid had brought Fluffy to Hogwarts, it could barely walk… much of his fur was gone… some teeth were broken and infected… mostly from malnutrition and lack of exercise… a creature like that is not meant to be kept locked away."
Finally Ron could stand it no more and stood, yelling, "What do plants and that damn dog have to do with Harry?"
Rela looked really scared and Hermione wasn't sure what to say, even Dumbledore couldn't stand for this behavior.
"Wasn't Harry kept in a cupboard," answered Dumbledore plainly, "A small… dark… cramp… and lonely cupboard?"
Ron sat back down and the growing anger seemed to vanish.
"Exactly, "continued Dumbledore, his voice kind again, "Harry has had little room to grow and develop… because of that he has very little in the way of emotional tools to deal with the turmoil within."
Ron stared at the floor slightly, a tear slid down Hermione's cheek as she stared blankly at the aged wizard and Rela turned to look out the window completely.
"For the time now, you two have been like a pot for Harry," spoke Dumbledore very gently, "You two have given him a chance to grow with your friendship and caring… something he has had very little if any of."
Dumbledore paused for a moment letting silence reign while glancing out the window to see buildings from the Hogsmeade coming into view.
"Now Harry needs to grow and enter into a new world like a plant moved from a pot to a garden," spoke Dumbledore again, "The adjustment is very hard for him… little interaction with others for so long… no foundation for new emotions and feelings he's developing… and the effects of the Colossus Orb is made it many times worse."
Everyone turned back to Dumbledore now.
"As Ron has no doubt informed you Rela and Hermione you have seen it yourself like Ron," continued Dumbledore again, "Harry seems to have acquired a new ability to absorb magic… as he absorbed the lightening magic core from the orb."
Dumbledore met each of their gazes in turn.
"The orb like any is to be used in conjunction with a staff or scepter… so as it is connected directly to it… Harry however held the orb while he used a reversed version of the shield spell…very advanced magic… I'm still curious to know how he knew to do that."
Hermione suddenly had a question as she asked, "So Harry is able to do the things he has because of the orb?"
Dumbledore gazed a moment at her before answering, "The magic itself… no… that is a natural ability like each of you have noticed with yourselves… rather the orb has only accelerated something his body was originally not prepared to handle at this time."
"Not prepared," question Rela suddenly speaking?
Ron answered before Dumbledore responded, "The infusion… vampire blood… Harry may not be a vampire but an infusion to still leaves side effects… his bleeding… coughing blood… the bleeding nose… after the infusion he doesn't bleed when he does stuff… unless its from his scar… he's been conditioned… it doesn't hurt as much."
Dumbledore smiled and glanced out the window again, Hogsmeade buildings began to pass by, signaling their expiring time.
"You have an idea of the nightmares that lash at him during his slumber," spoke Dumbledore quickly, "Basically… in a way… what Harry faces his another part of his personality… strengthened by the events from last term… strengthened by the orb's involvement… fueled by the repressed rage from his life… now its feeding on the current events… and the frictions within himself… it may not be long before Harry stops ignoring or turning away from it… and you all are part of the resolution to this danger."
"What can we do while Harry's at Hogwarts and we're not," asked Ron surprisingly calm?
"That is the work of another," answered Dumbledore quietly, "But I have already seen to it that the plan fails."
Voices could be heard in the distance, voices of other students and the sound of train engine.
"How did Fluffy get better," asked Rela?
Dumbledore glanced out the window and looked back to answer.
"Our time is short but so I must make my response the same, "replied Dumbledore quickly, "It most of the year before your first arrivals for Fluffy to become healthy… but the effects of his life stayed with him… Hagrid played music for him everyday but no matter the food or shelter or kind word… Fluffy would let no human near him, not even Hagrid... then a few months before your first terms a terrible storm came… a few unicorns were hurt by falling trees in the forest… Hagrid brought them to the pen and treated them… I don't have to tell you how valuable unicorn blood is to the dark market but a small group of wizards made an attempt on those injured unicorns… Hagrid tried to stop them but without the privilege to use magic… Hagrid was injured in the struggle and Fluffy saw it all from his doghouse… in that instance something occurred and Fluffy attacked… out of eight intruders only one survived to be taken to Azkaban… but that day forth Fluffy never issued so much as a growl to Hagrid and is as gentle to him as Hagrid his with human friends… that was why Fluffy was the best choice to be the first guard to the sorcerer's stone… because Fluffy would show no mercy to anyone but Hagrid… and so I fear Harry may for a time become like that."
The carriage stopped, the carriage door swung open and a train usher greeted them.
For the moment, the three students were too amazed by Dumbledore to realize what was happening.
"Go now," ushered Dumbledore, "Believe me… I will not allow a creature to suffer if I can prevent it… that is why Hagrid received my direct permission easily to bring Fluffy to Hogwarts… I will see to it that a plant with binding roots finds a better place to grow… much has been done that you do not know of yet… so go… and be ready for anything."
Each student left the carriage, Ron first and helped the girls out. Dumbledore remain and watched the train leave. As it departed, so did the carriage in which the Headmaster was seated, while the rest remain behind. Onlookers not watching the train may have noticed that the carriage was traveling very quickly back to Hogwarts.
Afternoon came and Harry sat in the empty Great Hall. He simply wanted a sandwich and to no surprise that was what was waiting for him, no doubt in his mind that it was of Dobby's doing.
He ate slowly for a while until Hedwig flew in, landing next him. The owl hooted and Harry shared his lunch with the bird, receiving gentle nips in return.
After lunch, Harry wandered about the castle, seeing Professors here and there. He was amazed at just how quiet the castle was without his fellow peers. Peeves popped up a few times making nasty comments but the poltergeist seemed bothered that there was no audience aside from Harry.
In time early evening came and tired of walking, Harry returned to the common room.
Harry stood in the quiet common room, as the fireplace crackle, looking around. The room was split with empty chairs and clear tables to one side while sofas and plush chairs grouped the opposite, near the fireplace. A vase, normally brandishing flowers, sat on a column stool beside him.
Harry glared at the vase from the corner of his eye. His face twisted in silent anger and in quick move Harry backhanded the vase off the stool, knocking it to the floor. The vase shattered to pieces, scattering along the floor, filling the room with a resonating pitch of breaking porcelain. Harry stood in place, his breathing slow and deep, as he watched the column stool wobble from the falling vase.
"Is there a problem Harry," asked a calm voice from the entrance?
Harry turned suddenly to see Dumbledore standing at the portrait entrance with a small smile.
"No," answered Harry quietly, "I… I just wanted to break something."
Dumbledore said nothing at first but walked forward and sat down. Harry remained in place, looking away from the Headmaster.
"I have some news for you… but before that, "continued Dumbledore, "Let me ask you a few things."
Harry glanced quickly at Dumbledore and asked in puzzlement, "What things?"
Dumbledore looked from Harry to the chair in front of him-self and Harry took a seat from the cue.
"I was wondering… if you don't mind me asking," asked Dumbledore, "How are things between you, Ron and Hermione?"
"Okay I suppose," replied Harry.
Dumbledore stared at Harry with a smile saying nothing at first.
"What," asked Harry during the short silence?
"You haven't been very forthcoming with them," replied Dumbledore, "Of course… they too are keeping things hidden as well."
Harry matched Dumbledore's gaze and asked, "So… I never heard that we had to tell each other everything?"
Dumbledore stroked his beard a moment and replied, "That is true… there is nothing wrong with a secret or two held privately… however there are also secrets we shouldn't hide… especially ones that cause us pain… or prolong it."
Harry stared at the Headmaster in both worry and wonder.
"I too have secrets… and I have one about you," said Dumbledore, his tone suddenly serious, "I know what you have been dreaming… or should I say nightmares."
Harry could feel his skin go cold and couldn't blink while looking at the headmaster.
"I know of the terrible voice that sometimes rings in your ears, "continued Dumbledore, "When you're angry, its words replay… when you've 'observed' Hermione... you're reminded of its insinuations… and other times as well."
Harry remained in his state and shifted nervously when Dumbledore mentioned Hermione.
"Yes… I know of those kinds of thoughts… not yours particularly," said Dumbledore with a chuckle, "You're about that age when that sort thing should begin happening."
Harry looked away and Dumbledore cleared his throat stopping his chuckling.
"There's something else you should know," said Dumbledore his tone serious again, "Fear is a force that blinds and chokes like a putrid fog… guilt consumes and traps like a fierce cold in a dark maze."
Harry got up suddenly and walked a few steps away, keeping his back to Dumbledore.
"Anger fuels and strengthens the dark parts of us within the soul," continued Dumbledore, "Like an evil voice in all of that urging us to do other things… things we would normally not want to do."
Harry said nothing but clenched his fists, shaking slightly.
"We all have that voice… that creature within us… the other way or path we can go… it is harder for you because of the way your life has gone."
Harry's breathing became rapid and the fire began to dim.
"Years with the Dursleys and then all the dangers in your life here… all of that is accumulating and continuing to do so… and you do not let that strain out… unfortunately you do this because you don't know how to let it go."
The temperature in the room began to chill quickly and a rumbling could be heard outside.
"However now you do have a way."
The fireplace was nearly void of flame and the pitcher nearby split as the water froze, breaking it.
"You have always felt better when you are around or talk with Ron… and Hermione."
The fireplace roared back with flames and the chilling air stopped. Rumbling sound had faded and the frozen water turned to liquid again.
"Don't keep things away from them anymore… you'd be surprised what secrets they have and how strongly you have affected them… for the better."
Harry seemed to calm, his fist went unclenched and his color went normal again.
"They want to help you… they made that choice already… they already know the danger around you… they could have left at any time… but the thrill and the need to do what's right is in their being as well as yours… so stopping them is pointless."
Harry put his hand to his face wiping at his eyes and asked quietly, "Then what should I do?"
"Do what you feel is right," answered Dumbledore kindly, "I would suggest protect them as they choose to protect you... you have learned from the Degarus story what you and they may just be."
Raised voices soon reached Harry's ears before the portrait swung open. In the shadowed entrance a figure walked through while the raised voices became clearer. Harry knew one voice to be McGonagall but the other he wasn't sure of. When the figure emerged, Harry came to see a boy about his age with flaming red hair that he had seen leave that morning.
"Ron," inquired Harry?
Ron stood smirking at Harry and replied, "Bet you weren't expecting to see me so soon."
Harry was still taking in the surprise of Ron's arrival when the raised voices stopped and heavy walking could be heard in its place. The radiance of the firelight soon illuminated Professor McGonagall and the woman she was arguing with. A woman Harry knew as Mrs. Weasley.
"Dumbledore," snapped Mrs. Weasley angrily, stomping her way to the headmaster," I cannot believe you'd allow this… and after everything we spoke of already… I demand that Harry be allowed to leave this instant!"
Dumbledore raised his hand and Mrs. Weasley stopped talking suddenly. Dumbledore reached into a pocket within his robes and pulled out a folded parchment.
"I said I had some news for you," spoke Dumbledore," While my robes were being laundered, one of the house elves found a letter in my pocket… I must have forgotten it with all the business of the holiday approaching."
Dumbledore unfolded the note and gave it a brief read before continuing.
"When I received word of the governors' wishes," continued Dumbledore happily, "I sent an owl to a certain person… who I think we best keep nameless for the moment… and received an owl in reply… a reply that gives permission to leave Hogwarts… to stay with whoever welcomes you."
Dumbledore turned his gaze to Mrs. Weasley and then back to Harry.
"And Molly appears to have already made her opinion of that clear," finished Dumbledore.
Harry stared at them all dumbfounded before shaking his head and asking, "But Malleck and Voldemort are still out there."
"Never mind that," answered Mrs. Weasley snappishly, "You're coming home and that's final… Ron, help him get his trunk."
Ron took a few steps forward and Harry began turn away before Dumbledore interrupted.
"I think you'll find that Dobby has taken care of that, "spoke up Dumbledore, "It may be best to go… now… before the evening grows any later that is."
Harry took a few hesitates steps forward, stopping a moment and then continuing normally. Ron walked beside him and Mrs. Weasley gave a quick hug and led the boys out of Gryffindor house.
Outside a person standing in a shadowed corner watched the portrait swing open again and watch Mrs. Weasley and the two boys leave.
"So they came and claimed him," spoke the person, silver in their eyes glowing slightly, and then whispered viciously, "How sweet."
"You didn't really think Dumbledore couldn't see through your attempt," said another voice behind the person "Did you Lucius?"
Lucius Malfoy turned and in the shadow behind him stood another pair of brighter glowing silver eyes, familiar eyes.
"It's only a small set back," replied Malfoy, "The paupers have only put themselves in great danger now… but I'm sure you know that already Daken."
"Aren't you worried that in this so called search for Malleck, "spoke Daken stepping into clearer view, "That he'll use this chance to eliminate some followers of his enemy."
"I'm not his intended victim," answered Malfoy, turning and walking away, "Its race to see who'll get Potter first."
Daken looked down the stairway where Harry and the Weasleys were walking before whispering aloud to him-self, "It might just be Potter who gets us first… the storm is ready to break."
Back in the common room the portrait door began to swing back and McGonagall watched it close before she looked at the Headmaster.
"It doesn't seem like you to misplace a letter from Sirius," inquired McGonagall in puzzlement?
"I suppose my many years are catching up to me," replied Dumbledore with a humored smile.
McGonagall just eyed the Headmaster for a moment before nodding with acceptance and began to walk away, leaving the Headmaster behind.
She had almost stepped out when Dumbledore's voice carried out from behind her.
"I wonder which has the stronger affect… to simply be told you can stay with friends… or having those same friends show up unexpectedly and demand that you go home with them," spoke Dumbledore suddenly, "Either way… home is where one is most wanted… a family is those who most wants you… and I would much prefer Harry to be in such a place… at Home for the Holiday."
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