(A/N: I'm so happy to hear that you liked the last charter! Since the next one is very short, I'm going to post chapter 18 straight away! I need to apologize with godsowndevil, since it's a boy and not a girl ( I'm sorry!) and I need to thank all my readers who left a review, like TheDivineMsD, eekii, pottergirlajg and the new readers, HarrylovesHermione and hermione4harry. Here we are then, enjoy the reading!)
Chapter 17. THE WARNING
...
In my heart,
In my soul,
Between blades of grass
You'll see
Far shadows
Of lonely people
Who have been here
Just a minute ago.
Now I love them because
They are gone
To leave a place for you...
...
"In my heart, in my soul" by Lucio Battisti
The fire was crackling in the huge fireplace; the Gryffindor common room was completely deserted, given the late hour. Harry, Ron, and Hermione were sitting in three comfortable armchairs in absolute silence.
They were still deeply shocked by Mark Evans' revelation and needed some time for it to sink in, particularly Harry. Like a robot, he had followed Ron and Hermione inside the castle.
Hermione let him sit in front of the fireplace and then realized that his forehead was burning. With motherly care, she sent Ron to Madam Pomfrey to ask for a soothing potion and forced Harry to drink all of it, despite his resistance.
Harry was now feeling slightly better, though he still wasn't able to think clearly. In front of him, a great number of blurred images were crowding together: the line of ancient graves with all those inscriptions, and Mark Evans talking to Hagrid. "Harry surely is a SEER, just like his mother Lily was... You must tell him where Lily and James are buried... it is the only way that Harry will be able to go on and face the future... he's a smart boy... he's a Seer... he's a Seer...."
But what was the meaning of all of it? And why did Dumbledore never tell him about the graves? Why were they still treating him like a stupid little boy? Harry felt his anger rising and thought that Dumbledore had always lied to him for all these years. But why? Maybe because he didn't trust him?
Ron timidly broke the silence, interrupting Harry's thoughts.
"Did anybody understand what Mark Evans said?"
Harry stayed silent and Hermione replied in his place.
"Surely Hagrid knew Professor Evans in the past. They trusted each other somewhat, though I don't think they were good friends!"
"Oh no! Hagrid was really angry with him! Maybe Mark Evans did something terrible in the past. Did you hear how Hagrid told him to stay away from Harry? Do you think we should still trust him?"
This time Harry replied.
"He wasn't lying about the graveyard... while everyone else has always lied to me... ALWAYS!" Harry spoke with deep resentment.
"It's wrong to think that way, Harry... I'm sure Dumbledore has good reasons for not talking about it... I mean, about the graveyard and all the rest... surely he did it in order to protect you..."
At those words, Harry felt his anger burst out and he turned to Hermione in a fury, beating his fists on the armchair.
"OF COURSE! Dumbledore's always thinking about protecting me... but he doesn't care what I'm thinking, what I really want! For once in my life, I'd like to know the entire truth about my past and my family. For once in my life, I'd like to..."
But he didn't finish the sentence because he suddenly realized that he didn't even know what he really wanted. Hermione and Ron were horrified by Harry's outburst, and lowered their gazes to the floor.
Another endless half hour passed by silently before Hermione spoke in a low voice.
"Harry? I think it's best if you go to bed now."
"No... I prefer to stay longer," he replied quietly, without even looking at her.
"But in your condition, maybe..."
"LISTEN! You go to bed... I'll stay here!"
Hermione was deeply offended by Harry's attitude, but she thought it was better to leave him alone and let him think it over.
"We're going to bed, then..." said Ron, standing up. He and Hermione climbed the stairs in silence.
Harry remained there, staring at the fire without even turning to say good night. He was completely entranced by the dancing flames as their comfortable warmth slowly wrapped around him; his eyelids became heavier and heavier.
He felt an odd sensation of release; his entire body was becoming heavy, and, sitting in the armchair, he decided to just let go of that weight.
Suddenly, a river of jumbled images rushed in front of him; he didn't recognize all the faces or places he was seeing. When the images became still, he found himself again out on the grounds of Hogwarts. In instinct, he started to run toward the graveyard, looking for someone. It was night, but there wasn't any trace of snow and a light wind was blowing.
Then, he saw the figure of a woman figure in the distance... he squinted his eyes and the figure appeared more clearly to him.
Harry realized that the woman was walking toward him. As soon as she came closer, he slowly saw her thin and slender features: her long red hair, her light smile, and her shining green eyes, which were sweetly staring at him. For only a moment, he wondered who the beautiful woman was, but then his heart answered for him, It's your mother!
Many different emotions burst into his heart: surprise, disbelief, joy, but also fear-- fear that it was only a dream, and that in the morning she would be gone. Without thinking about it, he ran toward her, and hugged her tightly. He could feel the softness of her robes and smell her light scent. Harry closed his eyes and tasted that wonderful moment with all his senses. To his great delight, he realized that she was hugging him tightly in return. Then Lily spoke to him kindly.
"Do you recognize me, Harry?"
He raised his head and got lost in her wonderful green eyes.
"Yes, mum... finally you've come to me... I've missed you so much!"
Lily smiled sweetly, and spoke again.
"My dear son, listen to me carefully, so that this moment will remain forever in your memories..."
He nodded, not loosening his embrace.
"Very difficult times are waiting for you... times in which you will find yourself between life and death... times in which, more than once, you will be put in front of a crossroads and you will have to make a choice. You could choose the path that leads to power, which is the same leading to darkness... or you could choose the more difficult path of sacrifice which will lead you to light and true happiness. Remember that even in darkness, it is still possible to find the light. Only love and compassion sweep away fear and evil. My son, when the time comes, you will make your choice, and your father and I will be with you..."
Though he didn't fully understand the meaning of her words, Harry was ecstatic in that moment.
Mother and son remained like that for a long time, staring at each other without speaking, even though Harry could feel in his heart all the love and strength Lily was sending him.
Then, she spoke again.
"It is time for me to go..."
"NO! Not yet.... please don't leave me again!"
Harry felt panic growing in his heart; he absolutely didn't want his mother to leave. He had so many things to tell her.
"What does it mean that I'm a SEER? Please tell me!"
"You'll understand at the right time, Harry." Lily replied, slowly moving away from him, but Harry was still hugging her tightly in his arms.
"Mum, take me with you... there's nothing to keep me here. I just want to come with you..."
"I can't take you with me, Harry... you still have so many things to do... and so many friends who love you. But always remember that your father and I are going to watch over you. Even if you can't see us with your eyes, you will be able to feel us with your heart..."
Harry could feel his mother's body becoming lighter and less solid, as though she were evaporating. He tried frantically to catch her with his hands, but it was like trying to catch a wisp of smoke.
Lily had completely disappeared, but Harry could still hear her last words.
Take care, my son... and let your heart always be pure...
Harry woke up abruptly; he looked around and realized that it was dawn. The common room was dimly lit by the first morning sun, and the fire was completely dead. His dream had lasted the entire night. Automatically, he brought a hand to his forehead and felt that it was burning.
He remained seated; he was feeling very weak, and his head was pounding. He was so confused and unable to recall his vision entirely, but in his heart, there was still a wonderful sense of sweetness and lightness. Harry knew that it was his mother's gift, a way to let him know that she loved him unconditionally.
After a few minutes, Harry gathered all of his strength and stood up. His head was spinning, but he was determined to reach his dormitory. He took a few steps and felt his legs trembling, then staggering. He reached the cold stone walls in front of him and, leaning against them, climbed the stairs. When he entered the bedroom he saw that Ron and his other roommates were still sleeping.
He reached his bed and collapsed heavily on it, not even taking off his clothes; closing his eyes, he immediately fell asleep.
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