Chapter 7-Revelation of the Prophecy
Harry and Hermione had achieved a new level of notoriety. They were now believed or rumored to be part of the kidnap/murder/assault on three Slytherin students. All attempts were being made to avoid this going public, but there was little chance of that. When Hermione arrived in her room she was met by Tonks sitting on her bed. Harry was met by Mad-Eye.
They each were advised that they were under house arrest and that they would not be able to talk to one another until interrogation had been completed. They were told that a decision would be forthcoming on whether the interrogations would be held at Hogwarts under the watchful eye of the Minister of Magic or whether they would be removed from the premises to be interrogated. Since there had been several Scotland Yard members were actually wizards undercover, they had been summoned to Hogwarts. Since a robbery had taken place a search of all students' belongings was taking place. Both Harry and Hermione were relieved that they were not alone on the suspect list.
"Harry, of all nights you could have chosen to be out of your bed all night, this couldn't have been the worst," said a concerned Mad-Eye. "None of us in the Order believe you capable of such a horrific crime."
At the mention of the words "horrific crime" Harry's heart raced and he wondered what had happened and why had Professor McGonagall been sitting downstairs with all the students. He thought that nothing like this could ever happen without his scar burning. He could imagine no other person but Voldemort capable of such cruelty.
Suddenly Harry felt odd, his mind was racing over images through Hogwarts. He saw Dumbledore, Snape, two others he didn't recognize, and the bodies of Crabbe and Goyle on the floor of the corridor. There was blood all over the hall. Harry could see Snape holding up empty vials of what Harry couldn't tell. This was happening so fast that Harry felt dizzy and blacked out falling half clothed to the floor.
Mad-Eye called out for Professor McGonagall. She had been talking to Tonks and Hermione. He barked orders for someone to get a medi-wizard or Madame Pomfrey. Mad-Eye yelled, "Harry's passed out and his breathing has become rapid and shallow like he is having a seizure." Without delay, Professor McGonagall ran up the stairs as fast as her aged legs could carry her. Hermione tried to follow, but Ron had mercifully held her back. He could see the shear terror in Hermione's eyes. He pulled her close and comforted her. He too was as scared as he could ever remember.
The next few hours were eventful and exhausting for everyone. Madame Pomfrey was used to injuries from Quidditch, exploding cauldrons, and bites from a variety of Hagrid's pets and projects. But nothing had prepared her for a night and a morning such as this. She had normalized the breathing of both Goyle and Harry. They were lying next to one another in the infirmary. Harry was sitting up in bed while members of the investigation team asked very pointed questions about his whereabouts the night before. At each question, one of them would speak into a muggle walkie-talkie to direct another agent to a location for inspection. After two solid hours of questions about his relationships with the deceased, Goyle, and Malfoy they seemed convinced that there was no need to post a guard. They delivered the news to Professor McGonagall in the corridor. They were not to leave the castle but they could be left without an escort.
Sitting next to Professor McGonagall was Hermione who had worried herself sick over Harry all day. Hermione was in uncharted territory. Normally very logical, she had spent the last two days riding an emotional rollercoaster. She just wanted to see Harry. As the news came to Professor McGonagall, Hermione jumped up and extremely excited. She looked at the Professor who motioned to go in. Hermione beamed and ran in to see Harry.
Harry was so glad to see Hermione. Hermione kissed his cheek and he kissed hers. A voice in the background said, "Harry, you can do better than that can't you?" It was Professor Dumbledore at the other end of the row of beds. Harry and Hermione blushed but kissed each other a little more passionately, but very appropriately for a public place. Dumbledore continued, "That's more like it. What's this I hear that you two slept on the roof last night?"
"Yes, Sir," Harry and Hermione said in unison.
"I understand the growing pains of young love, but please return to within the castle walls at lights out." Dumbledore was not smiling nor was his demeanor harsh. He knew that they would honor his wishes and remain inside after hours. "Harry, I have asked Madame Pomfrey to make you ready to come to my office with Hermione and Professor McGonagall. Hermione let Harry dress. Meanwhile you, Professor McGonagall and I will wait in the office for Harry."
"Certainly, Headmaster," replied Hermione.
Madame Pomfrey made preparations for Harry to leave, but gave him some potions and elixirs to ward off a recurrence of his breathlessness and to allow him and Hermione to sleep. She made sure there was enough for both of them. Harry dressed as fast as he could. He was not fond of being in the infirmary. Today, especially--it had an odd feeling of death that surpassed any he had known before.
Upon arriving in Dumbledore's office, he noticed that they were deep in conversation about him. He wondered what they could be talking about. Dumbledore and McGonagall were relating to Hermione how important she was to Harry's well-being, how happy Harry seemed, and what Mad-Eye had seen in the room that morning.
"Please, come sit down Harry. I was just discussing with Professor McGonagall and Hermione, Mad-Eye's account of what happened. It appeared to him that you were listening or looking at something, because you turned left, then right quite suddenly before you fell. Do you recall what happened?"
Harry knew that this was not the time to hide anything from Hermione or anyone else in the room. "Sir, I had just been wondering what Professor McGonagall was thinking when we came in and started up the stairs. And what was she thinking now? Then the room spun and I was having a vision of the murder scene where I saw you Sir, Professor Snape, and a few others near Crabbe's body. I remember feeling very hot and then very cold as I could feel the blood rush out of my face as fast as it had rushed in. The whole time I thought my heart would jump out of my chest, it was beating so loud it beat in my ears. And then, I felt nothing until I was in the infirmary."
There was a definite look of concern on the Professors' faces. Harry knew that this was another of those things that were unexplainable for a wizard so young to have these powers. He knew that this was something that had to be controlled, but when controlled could be very useful for the Order and him personally. But he didn't want to know the horrors everyone else saw. He had enough of his own. When no one had spoken for what seemed like a very long time, Harry asked, "What does that mean?"
Dumbledore slowly began explaining, "Harry, it appears that during your episodes with Voldemort last year, your sense of perception increased to the point of being able to sense the emotions in others. Yet it is not indiscriminate. You must be concentrating on that person's thoughts and there must be a little stress involved. I would guess that the stress caused you to faint. Soon I would imagine you will be able to do this without stress or great concentration. It becomes now more important than ever that you continue with the Occlumency lessons. You will not rest if anything can break in to your thoughts. It takes great concentration for both Legilimency and Occlumency. You will have to learn what to do with both."
Harry could only think, "Oh great, not only do I have to study for all of my other classes, now I have this to worry about." Slowly he became aware of a voice in his head.
It was Dumbledore. "Yes, Harry, this too. Voldemort has left you some incredible powers that rival any wizard alive. He must not find out, because he can use them against you if he knows you cannot control them." Harry looked into Dumbledore's steel grey eyes with a nod, acknowledging the thoughts. Dumbledore responded in kind.
For the benefit of Hermione and Professor McGonagall Harry said, "Sir, I would like to let Hermione and Professor McGonagall know the full story of the prophecy. It probably is shocking to Hermione to hear the events of this morning. She needs to know the full story."
Hermione never knew how much Harry knew about himself or that he was becoming so powerful. She had remained in shocked silence gazing back and forth at the two of them. Hermione was no slouch at reading non-verbal communications. She was sure she saw a look of voiceless communication between Harry and Dumbledore. To what extent, she didn't know. But she was sure that she was about to find out.
Albus Dumbledore had shared part of the prophecy with Professor McGonagall when Professor Trelawney had given it to him, but had not spoken of it in nearly 16 years with her. He began at the beginning. Hermione heard the most amazing story of her life that night. She also knew that she had been right about not going to the Ministry of Mysteries, but would never say it out loud because she now knew how overwhelming the emotions for Harry had been. She held Harry's hand in hers, squeezing it occasionally to indicate the compassion she felt for him.
Harry was thankful to have the weight of the prophecy being his and Dumbledore's secret off his mind. Hermione was comforting as the story unfolded. Many fond memories were brought to light, yet so were so many Harry wanted to forget. He wanted to know now more than ever how Dumbledore had been able to read his thoughts so easily and how it could be that they communicated like that. How many thoughts had he had in his life that weren't his own? It was unnerving.