The Soul Crystal

9. A Beast Of A Plan

Harry Potter and the Soul Crystal - Chapter 9

The only characters/things I own are Wendy Kitanya, the bubble sprites, the Soul Crystal, the flamingo seeds, the razorum spell, the twindoma spell, the deednim reecal spell, the Magical Artifacts Throughout History book, the Soul Beast, the argot, the bright spots, Ardian and Rachel Tigerlilly. Please do not use them in a story without asking me first.

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Harry's mind was racing. "What should I do?" he thought as he half listened to professor Flitwick's directions. "Is it worth risking my life over?"

"No, no, Mr. Longbottom. You'll damage the violin that way," Professor Flitwick said as he raised his own wand. The class was learning how to make a violin play in midair. "It's Chellarum. Not Shellarum. The only thing you'll succeed in doing is make the violin do barrel rolls."

Suddenly Harry had a flash of inspiration. He had to talk to Wendy. It would have to wait till the end of class though. Harry's thoughts refocused on the class when he heard laughter. The violin was trying to bash Neville on the head. Even through his tense mood a little chuckle escaped his lips.

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"Have you seen Wendy?" Harry asked Hagrid. The half-giant turned his large head toward him.

"Said she was headin' off ter the common room," he said as he heaved the bale of hay he held in his massive hands over a fence into the pegasus' pen.

"Thanks, Hagrid," Harry replied as he turned to walk away.

Hagrid looked thoughtful. "Summat on yer mind, Harry?"

"No no. Just wanted to ask her something," Harry said as he waved his hand dismissively.

Hagrid's eyes narrowed. "Harry....if you're thinkin of goin' after that crystal...." he warned, leaning against the fence. Harry had told Hagrid about the dreams he had been having lately.

Harry tried his best to look indifferent. "Naw. I reckon it's not worth the effort."

Hagrid tapped his foot. "Awright then. Why don' you go find yer sister," he said with a warm smile. Harry said his thanks and left. Hagrid stared after him. "Hmmmm. Better tell Dumbledore. Harry knows summat," he shooed away the pegasus who had been happily munching his hair. "Better make sure there's an anti-invisibility charm roun' the forest too." He grumbled. He felt a gentle tugging on his hair again. "Off with ye' !" he scolded to the pegasus who managed to whack Hagrid with her tail as she turned to go to the water trough.

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Harry smiled when he saw Wendy. Actually he nearly laughed out loud. She was sprawled out on the couch nearest the fireplace. She looked like road kill.

Hermione looked up and smiled when she saw Harry. "Hi, Harry," she said as she gave him a hug.

"Hi." Harry returned the hug. "Excuse me a minute," he said as he walked over to his sister. "Wen." He shook her gently.

Wendy opened a squinted eye. "This had better be good, Harry." She sat up a bit. "I was dreamin' about Will Smith."

"I need to talk to you alone," Harry said. Hermione looked at Harry quizzically. He didn't notice.

Wendy cocked her head to one side. "Okay. Okay." She yawned and rubbed her eyes. "Do you mind, Mione?"

"Not at all." Hermione smiled. "I'll just go back to reading my book."

"Thanks," Harry said as he gave Hermione a peck on the cheek. "We'll be right back." He grabbed Wendy's hand and led her out the portrait door.

Hermione sighed. "He's up to something. I'll have to speak to him when he gets back."

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"What?!" Wendy said in disbelief. She put her hand on her brother's forehead. "Yup. Just as I thought. Boiling over."

Harry scowled and shoved her hand away. "I am not sick," he said as he pushed her hand away. "We need to find that crystal."

Wendy sat down on the floor of the dining hall, which was empty at the moment. "What we need is to stay in one piece. I was all hyped up ta' find that thing too till I found out that monster in our nightmares is guarding it." She interlaced her fingers behind her neck and leaned her head back. "Besides. What happened to ~You don't know enough magic to go into the forest.~ ?"

Harry slid down the wall to sit next to Wendy. He sighed. "I think your beastmaster power could keep that thing under control."

"Ahhhh. I see," Wendy said as she put her arms around her knees. "Look......Harry. You're my brother. I love you. But......I don't wanna throw away this great new life I have here for something we've already been told can't bring back Mom and Dad."

Harry closed his eyes. "I think it can. There could be things people have never tried." He gave Wendy a look of desperation. "Wen, they're trapped in that thing. I can't stand the thought of it. Even if we can only free their souls I have to try."

Wendy let out a long puff of air. "Alright. If it means that much to you."

Harry gave a half smile. "Thank you."

"Are we getting Ron into this?" she said as she scratched her neck.

"Yeah, but not Mione," he said seriously.

"You think she'll try to stop you?" Wendy questioned as she stood up.

Harry stood as well. A small twinge of anger crossed his face. "I know she will."

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Hagrid's sixth year Care Of Magical Creatures Class waited patiently outside the door of the newly constructed pool. Draco was taking extra care to stay on the opposite side of the crowd from Hermione. If it wasn't for Dumbledore his father could've gotten him out of this mess but that muggle lover was one of the few people his father couldn't bribe.

Draco sighed angrily as he stared at her. Even though she had rejected him, even though she now despised him worse than ever, her beauty still captivated him. He hated that. It revulsed him to his very core. He even felt bad about hurting her. That made him even more angry. He really hadn't meant to cause her pain. It just kind of happened. "What the bloody hell is she doing to me? I am Draco Malfoy! I am the heir to the oldest and greatest Wizarding family in the world" "I AM NOT ATTRACTED TO A MUDBLOOD!" he screamed. Everyone stared at him. He suddenly realized he had said the last part of his rant out loud and his face turned a nice shade of crimson.

Hagrid put a giant hand on Draco's shoulder. "Get yeself to Professor Dumbledore's office. NOW!" Hagrid said with barely contained rage. Draco gritted his teeth and stormed off. Hagrid turned to Hermione. "You alrigh'?"

Hermione smiled. "I don't even pay attention to that git anymore," she said as she shook her head.

Hagrid smiled proudly. "Good girl." He walked over to the door. "You kids are gonna love this." He grinned.

Hagrid opened the door and everyone stepped inside. Their eyes were wide as they took in the absolute massiveness of the pool. It was about the size of four Olympic pools. It's shallow end was only two feet deep but the other end was twenty feet. One corner of the deep end had what looked like a small holding pen. On the three walls not connected to the castle were giant windows. Each one was rounded at the top and was bordered by ocean blue curtains. The ceiling was enchanted like the dining hall except there were seagulls flying in the sky. The floor was made of tile that looked like wood. Paintings of mermaids were on the spaces between the windows. They were all waving and saying welcome.

Hagrid instructed them to stand near the midpoint of the pool. "Awright now. You kids keep it down. Argots are righ' skittish." He opened the gate and out came one of the most beautiful creatures the trio had ever laid their eyes on. The argot was roughly six feet long from head to tail fin. Her skin was like a dolphin's, only it was pale blue. She had a delicate head with a small yellow beak, large green eyes, a deep blue fin on the back and a tiny gold horn on her forehead. Hagrid told the class that the horn was porous and she used it to breath when she was above water. Each of her cheeks had a small, blue fin shaped piece of skin that Hagrid explained protected her gills. On each side of her body, not too far below her head, were large, deep blue, fan shaped fins that slowly waved in the water. The fins were nearly transparent. She had a matching dorsal fin on her back. Her tail was straight and had one long blue fin that ran the entire length on the front and back.

The argot cautiously left the safety of the pen and glided toward the group. Her tail propelled her forward as she swished it back and forth. Hagrid told the class that the large side fins were for balance and allowed her to stay upright as she swam. He knelt down and held out a handful of purple leaves. The argot let out a happy sound that reminded the group of a Japanese flute. She munched happily on the leaves then let out another chirp that sounded almost like gratitude. "Hear that? That's the spirit call. Argots will be friends with almost anyone who gives them clam leaves as long as they've got a good heart." He began to hand leaves out to the class. "Now. One at a time. Hermione, you go first."

Hermione knelt down and held out her hand of leaves. The argot ate the leaves and made the spirit call for her. She smiled.

One by one the rest of the class tried feeding the argot. The argot would not make the spirit call for most of the Slytherins. When Goyle reached down the argot made an earsplitting shriek and used her muscular tail to drench him. The class exploded in laughter.

"Sorry I'm late Hagrid!" Echoed a voice from the door. "My potions class ran over." Wendy was running toward the class. She had asked Hagrid if she could be there to see the argots. Her foot hit a puddle and she fell. Her backside hit the floor hard. "Owie," she said as she rubbed the spot that was in pain. Hagrid offered Wendy a hand. Looking extremely embarrassed she took it and stood. The Slytherins were doubled over with laughter.

Hagrid shot the Slytherins a look and they stopped laughing. "Are you all right?"

"Yeah. But I'm gonna be feelin' that for a week. Hagrid?" Wendy said when she realized she didn't have Hagrid's undivided attention.

Hagrid wasn't listening. He was staring at the argot who's horn was glowing with a brilliant light. Smiling, Wendy knelt down to the argot and began to stroke her face. "Well I'll be," Hagrid exclaimed. "I've heard of the aquinesk, but I never thought I'd see it."

Harry spoke up. "The aquinesk?"

"They only do it fer beastmasters," Hagrid replied ,"That's why ye don' see it too often."

"Amazing," Hermione exclaimed.

"The best part hasn't happened yet," Hagrid said, winking. The argot backed up from Wendy a couple of feet, keeping her eyes fixed on the beastmaster. The horn glowed brighter and the argot began to play an enchanting song with the same flute-like tone she had used for the spirit call. Each note filled the students with a indescribable warmth.

Harry looked at Hermione and clasped her hand. She smiled and leaned her head on his shoulder. They simply relaxed and enjoyed the aquinesk together. Harry loved the feel of her skin on his. It made him feel peaceful. He tilted his head to rest on hers and breathed in deeply. He loved her scent. She smelled intensely of the raspberry shampoo she used. He squeezed her hand. Somehow when ever she was with him now, he felt like he had come home.

The argot's song ended, but for Harry and Hermione the warmth just stayed and stayed....and stayed....

.........TO BE CONTINUED

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You can see what the argot looks like by going to my website (Locate in my profile) I'll be adding a background to the pic later.

Text from our crawl of the site, 25 November 2014.

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