Chapter 24 - Panic and Mayhem
"Hey, Harry, I forgot to give these back to you. I found them the other day in the common room, when you guys were blowing smoke up my butt." Ron tossed the two books on Harry's bed.
"I was looking for this… hang on, what's this one?" He asked, as he picked up the smaller black leather bound book.
"Thought it was your notebook, it was in that other one like it was a bookmark." Ron commented.
"It's not mine." He said curiously while he held it tentatively, he remembered seeing it or one like it before but couldn't place it. He cautiously flipped though the pages, noticing they were all blank.
"Ron, where did you find this?" He asked. His tone was more forceful the Ron expected.
Ron took the book from his friend and after thinking it over, and looking threw the book himself, Ron turned sheet white.
"I-I-It's the same as… as the one Ginny found!" He dropped the book, as if it had just burned his hand. "Harry, you don't think someone else had 'his' diary?"
"I don't think they'd be that stupid. We figured out the last one, maybe we can get this to reveal what's been written." He picked it up again and flipped through the pages. He had noticed more then two thirds of the pages were quite worn, while the rest seemed unused.
"Who ever used this wasn't finished with it. Look here," he pointed his observation to Ron. "It may belong to someone here."
"Then why isn't there at least a name in it? I think you're wrong, mate." He sat back on his bed and thought about it. "I think we should give it to Dumbledore, let him work it out. Not that I want to sound scared, but I think we've had enough problems with diaries, I mean, Ginny still refuses to write in a bound tablet."
"I know. But I don't want to waste his time with something like this yet." He laid the book on the nightstand between them, pulled his wand and pointed it directly at the book. " Aparecium " he said as he tapped the book. A bright orange glow came from between the covers and they waited for the glow to stop before resuming the examination. Harry flipped the cover open with the tip of his wand, and it opened to reveal pages of elegantly drawn Runes. Many he had seen in the other book that lay on his bed.
"Ron, these are the same as in this book on ancient runes Hermione gave me. We've found clues to advanced magic that I've been able to perform in it. It also had some interesting runecasts, but these are more advanced. Here, this symbol is 'Thurisaz' and it means, just a sec, here it is. 'It is an ancient name for Thor used and interpreted as a protection rune.' So someone has put a protection spell on it. 'Gebo' means, "gift." And this one is 'Wunjo' meaning joy and happiness. And 'Nauthiz' means something is needed or in need. And also without satisfying that need, growth could be restricted. It also says the querent will get what is wanted, but may not be what was needed. ' Isa' indicates that there is no immediate possibility of change. "
"Damn, Harry, you have been spending too much time with Hermione if you can read that much into it. I thought they were part of a weird code."
"Yeah, it is a code. All we have to do is try and link them together. We really need to have Hermione's help. She can almost read this stuff."
"Like you can read that Parseltongue book?"
"Well, yeah." Harry nodded.
"Do you 'ave any idea what this means? I mean its all well and good that you know what the symbols are, but what do they mean?"
"We could ask Hermione or Ginny," Harry offered.
"Luna's studied Runes as much as Ginny, I could as her to try and read it."
"Let's give Hermione or you sister a go first. We can always get Luna to look it over."
With that decision, the two boys finished dressing and Harry tucked the book in his trouser pocket. The pair left their dorm room for the Great hall, with the plan to recruit one of the three girls for the task of transaction and interpretation of his book. Once in the Common Room, they ran into Ginny, who was busy on a Divination scroll.
"Gin, you see Hermione around?" Harry inquired.
"She on rounds, but she's in a right state, something about missing some work."
"Typical Hermione." Her brother quipped.
"How's you runecasting? Ron may have stumbled on something."
"Hermione's the one you want. She's gotten straight marks in Runes since her third year."
"Since she's not here, can you look this over and see what you can make of it?" Harry produced the book and handed it to his step-sister. She gave the book the same initial interrogations the two boys performed only in the last half hour. She quickly flipped through the pages, and also noted the partial use.
On the first page, she began muttering to herself the various symbols, and the sequences. "Hmmm… 'Thurisaz' means someone's put a protective spell on this book or maybe the person they're writing about. And 'Gebo' with 'Wunjo' means gift of joy and happiness, but since they're together, it could mean a gift of a relationship or love. But these, 'Nauthiz' and 'Fehu' means, ummm," she paused once she understood the meaning, when together in this fashion "Fehu' could only mean a new lover. "It means there's a need of emotional gain. And ' Isa ' says nothing will happen for some time, maybe three to six months." The last few symbols made the meaning quite clear.
"But exactly what is this? What does it mean?"
She laughed and cracked a grin. "This means you found a diary."
"Diary? Like Riddle's diary?"
"She laughed again. "Umm, no. I don't think he'd be writing about this. I think Hermione could interpret it better, I haven't seen some of the other symbols further down, but she has been reading very advanced books on the subject." She handed the book back to Harry, who didn't want any one else to keep it, just in case.
"Thanks, Gin, if you see Hermione, tell her we're looking for her. I hope she can read more into it."
Across the castle, certain young witch had been pacing back and forth in front of a blank wall. After the fourth pass, the same doors opened. She entered the room hoping everything was left undisturbed, but the room had been emptied and was spotless. Her search for her lost memoirs had become frantic, hoping her privacy spells would hold.
"BUGGER!" she yelled in frustration. A loud pop startled her as she spun around to see an old friend standing behind her.
"Miss, is there something I can help you find? Dobby would be honored to help Miss Hermione, the closest companion to the great Harry Potter."
"No, Dobby, I'm looking for something I lost."
"Maybe dobby could help Miss find what she had lost. Dobby will do anything Miss asks."
"Have you, or any of the other house elves found a book about so big bound in black leather?"
"No, miss I have not seen such a book today. But I did hear Winky telling Busco about a book Miss was reading for Master Potter and her brother."
"Miss? Ginny? Harry? WEASLEY!!!"
She was fortunate the room had a silencing spell or her scream would have brought half to school to her aid.
"WEASLEY has it? Are you sure?"
"Please, Miss Hermione, Dobby doesn't know for sure. Dobby only heard Winky talking about it."
She turned on her heals and raced across the school back to the Gryffindor Tower. Once safely back, she saw her friend still writing her scrolls.
"GINNY!" She screamed.
"Calm down, Hermione, they don't have a clue." She said calmly without raising her head. "I didn't tell anyone the meaning, only what it said."
"What? Start from the beginning." She ordered as she stood solemnly with her hands firmly on her hips. Ginny finaly laid down her quill, closed her book and turned to face Hermione.
"Really, if you're GOING to leave you diary laying around, the put a better spell on it, transform it into a school book, that's what I do. Then no one would even notice it. I mean, runes? That's not even trying."
"Runes? What ARE you talking about?" She asked in near perfect confusion.
"Obviously they tried to unhex it and managed a translation into runes. You know neither of them can read runes if their lives depended on it. So they brought it to me. I told them it was just someone's diary. I didn't mention the one symbol that I've seen you use often enough. That's how I knew it was yours. All they know is it belongs to some girl dreaming of a happy relationship. Now, do you want to tell me WHO you were writing about?"
"Gin, it's none of…"
"My business, I know. But, come on, you can't keep that a secret from me. Spill it, or I'll tell them it's your book!"
Sigh… "Remember that 'dream' I had? It's him."
"Who?"
"I'd rather not say, he doesn't know I'm alive. He doesn't care for me." She replied in a subdued tone.
"If I didn't know any better, I would have said it was Ron, but you two didn't do so well."
"It's NOT Ronald." She snapped.
"Not Ron? It CAN'T be Harry, could it?"
"Harry? Of course not. Don't be daft."
The red haired witch cracked a smile as she picked up her quill and resumed her work. "They're looking for you now, I think you should find the before they show it to Luna."
Hermione stood frozen and speechless. "Luna? They're going to show it to Luna?"
"Yeah, in the great hall."
Hermione fled the room and raced to the Great Hall, where the Sunday morning brunch was still being enjoyed by those unaware of the upcoming conflict. The new war was about to commence.
"Ron there she is, HEY Hermione, over here!" he called to her.
Hermione had just managed to calm herself on the way to the Great Hall, and sat next to Harry. She was overly relieved that Luna hadn't arrived yet and that book wasn't out in the open.
"Harry, Ginny just told me…"
"We, I mean, Ron found this yesterday and thought it was one of mine. I've never seen it before, what do you make of it?"
She re-examined her own book, exactly as Ginny had earlier, she alone knew the real meaning, but wouldn't divulge that information. She flipped through the pages and stopped at one point to pretend to find something useful. "Here, I think it belongs to one of the younger girls in Gryffindor."
"I, well we were hoping you could translate it. Ginny took a crack and it sounded like some one pinning over a bloke."
"It's a personal diary. And I'm surprised at both of you, this is personal and private. I will take this and make sure it is returned to the rightful owner. Ronald, you're SUPPOSE to be a prefect and you're prying into some girls private thoughts? That's low, even for you."
"Miss Granger?" She heard from behind.
"Y-Yes Professor Snape?"
"Did I understand correctly that a prefect was prying into the private affairs of another student? I believe that is grounds to deduct house points. And I shall have a discussion on this breach of protocol with the Headmaster. Now, you will turn over this 'diary' to me and I will dispose of it." Hermione began to feel a signal telling her this was not going to end well.
"Actually, sir, I think I know…"
"You think? You THINK? By what right do you have to think, Miss Granger. I am not surprised that you would have the nerve to believe you know better than a professor at this establishment. I THINK a week's detention is in order for your insubordinate actions, and Mr. Weasley, ten points from Gryffindor for your inappropriate actions. Now, you will hand over that book or shall we double the detention?" Harry stood at the insult to his friends from the potions master, his raw anger was also felt by Hermione.
"Professor, it's not Ron's fault. It was inside one of my books and we were trying…" Hermione stood and tried to get Harry to sit, but failed.
"So Mr. Potter, you wish to join Miss Granger in detention for speaking without permission? So be it. And I expect you to deliver any other suspicious books you possess, for examination."
"NO… That's NOT FAIR!" Harry screamed.
"SIT DOWN, or would you like a month?"
The commotion began attracting a small crowd. Many of the Slytherins watching from their table were quite enjoying the show. The invasion of Professor Snape into the Gryffindor space was beginning to further split the students and faculty. Many of those observing realized this was the first reprisal for Harry's outburst at the beginning of the year, stopping the taunting from the Slytherins after the attack on King's Cross. The school's headmaster and assistant headmistress both stepped up to deal with this incursion.
"Professor, is there a problem between your house and mine?" Professor McGonagall inquired. "Am I to understand you have placed my students in detention for a child's diary? I guess this means you truly don't have sufficient duties to perform. Shall we see if that can be corrected?"
"Minerva," he hissed, "that won't be necessary. I am merely making certain that Mr. Potter and his delinquent companions are not hiding any illegal volumes in the school. I would like your permission to search his rooms for any inappropriate materials."
"Professor, I can assure you that any books Harry has in his possession have been approved by myself and are certainly none of your concern." Dumbledore interceded. "I also feel you are being unjustly harsh to students outside of your house. I fail to remember the last time any of your student had been remanded to detention for the numerous infractions I know you had observed."
"I assure you, headmaster, that I am only concerned for the best interest of the students."
"Harry, is this the book in question?" The headmaster asked. Harry simply nodded and Hermione reluctantly handed it over. She felt a new sensation in her palms, but this was one all her own, she felt the sweat flow in her palms as Dumbledore began flipping through the pages. He stopped at one page and began reading the runes as if it were a page from the Daily Prophet, and after a moment, a smirk grew under his silver beard.
"Miss Granger, I believe I can trust you to return this to its rightful owner. As for the detentions, I don not
believe that they are justified, and Mr. Weasley, you say you found this in the Gryffindor common rooms, I believe that
would make this the sole concern of Professor McGonagall. Do you not agree, Severus?"
"What ever you say, headmaster." He muttered under his breath.
"Miss Granger, I believe if you return to the tower, the owner of this diary will welcome its return." He commanded with a wink. "As for the two of you, Harry I would like to have a minute of your time, please."
"Certainly professor."
"Sir, what about me?"
"Mr. Weasley, would you be so kind as to deliver this note to the Ravenclaw House? Thank you."
The trio dispersed on the ancient wizard's instructions, leaving Professor Snape alone facing the head of the Gryffindor house.
Hermione quickly returned her diary to it's rightful hiding spot, being careful to transform it as Ginny suggested. Ron left for the Ravenclaw house to deliver the note, but as he wasn't instructed who to leave it with, he handed it to the first member of that house he found, Luna.
"Ron? What's this for?"
"Dumbledore told me to deliver it. What is it?"
"It seems to be his laundry list."
The two looked at each other, Luna was puzzled by the list and Ron figured it was his way to get Ron away from Snape's wrath.
Harry followed the headmaster off to his office, for what Harry believed to be a discussion on remaining out of trouble with the potions master.
"Sir," he began once they were out of earshot of any student, "why did you intervene just now, when you never had in the past?"
"Harry, you must realize not everything is as it appears. I cannot tell you the reasons, yet. But I will tell you that Severus truly does have your best interest at heart. There is a reason why things happen. You must understand that until you have fully mastered Legilimency and Occlumency, there are details that we cannot tell you. I hope you truly understand. Severus, although he appeared to enjoy his actions, has done nothing adverse to you or your friends."
"So it was an act?"
"I can't go into detail, but remember nothing he does in malicious in his heart."
"I think I understand."
"Good, now go find Miss Grander and tell her to inform the owner of that diary to be more careful. There were things written in that book that shouldn't be saved. I hope the owner has the foresight to remove those pages. Now go, and enjoy the crisp day. I think a leisurely walk by the lake would be an enjoyable break from your studies. Tell Miss Granger I highly recommend it for the both of you."
"Sir?"
"Go… and mind the squid."
With that the headmaster left Harry alone at the base of the stairs to his office.
- - -
Life began to quiet down during the remaining weeks, fifth year students were busying themselves for their O.W.L.s in a few weeks time. Seventh years were equally concerned for their N.E.W.T.s with the sixth years studying as feverously as the seventh year students. Ron spent his time calming Luna so she could prepare for her O.W.L.s, but he wasn't as concerned preparing for his N.E.W.T.s. Ginny was far more confident in her knowledge then Luna, but she was as nervous just waiting for them to begin.
Harry and Hermione continued to work in secret on the spells they've discovered in his books, and his abilities to perform these spells grew over that time. His favorite was the sphere of energy; he was able to sustain the field for longer periods of time and was beginning to increase the size. He was, still, the only one that was able to perform that spell. Late one Sunday afternoon in mid April, they worked alone in their library refuge, maintaining a silencing charm on the room to avoid problems should there be a mishap. They did, however, inform Ron about their whereabouts.
"Mione, I would really feel better about this if I knew I wasn't the only one that could do this spell. Please give it a go?"
"I don't know if it's a good idea, I'm not…"
"..as powerful as I am? That's rubbish. I don't believe one wizard has more power or is stronger then another. I think if you believe you can, it will happen. I learned one thing from that book; early on it said something I didn't understand until recently. 'It's not the strength of your powers, but the power of your strength that's important.' If you believe, if you know you can do it, then you will be able to do it. Remember in our third year at the lake when I just knew I could perform the Ponterus Charm? I was able to do it because I believed in myself that I could do it."
"Ok, I'll try to do it."
"No, don't try, just do it. If you try, then you'll fail. The book also said that, and it's true. So just set you mind to it and do it."
"Ok, I'll do it." She replied. 'I'll do it for you, my love.' She thought.
She raised her wand, and repeated his movements while she uttered the incantation only he had attempted before and a blue dot formed hovering over the table. Harry watched as she tried to hold the dot, summoning all her strength and power. Harry began to smile thinking between the two of them, they could defeat his life lone enemy. His jubilation was short lived, her wand began to shake as he watched her eyes roll back into her head, and collapsed. Her loss of momentary consciousness sent this tiny dot of pure energy crashing to the table. The instant it touched the table, a silent explosion erupted from the spot, destroying the massive oak table. Shards of splintering wood narrowly missed both of them but the power flash hit Harry sending him flying into a stack of books.
Hermione had slumped backward over her chair, effectively missing the main force of the blast. But her strength was completely gone for the energy she used in that one tiny dot. Harry quickly shook off the grogginess from being slammed into a pile of books, and rushed to her side. From what he could tell, she was mostly unharmed, and he remembered his first attempt.
Her eyes cracked open and when she tried to speak, he hushed her, knowing how drained she must be. "Now you know how it feels, I thought you'd be able to handle the power, but I guess I was wrong."
He gently lifted her and went to carry her back to the Gryffindor tower, when she stopped him. "Stop, Harry." she panted. "I'll… be fine. I... need a few minutes."
He gently sat her on the lounge sofa against the wall, away from the debris, and summoned Dobby. "Dobby, come here, I need your…."
POP!
"Yes master Harry, how may I serve you?"
"Look, I'm not your master… ok?"
"I only serve Master Harry's needs, and only help in the castle when you don't need Dobby."
"Fine, I need some pumpkin juice,"
"Butterbeers…"
"Ok, she wants some Butterbeer, and some sandwiches. Also I need to get this cle…"
POP!! Dobby snapped his fingers, the debris from the table vanished as the pile of book se-stacked themselves. "Master Harry, sir, Dobby will be a few minutes with your refreshments, and Dobby does hope Mistress feels better soon." With one last pop, the house elf vanished to gather the requested food.
"Butterbeer?" Harry asked playfully.
"Mmm hmmm." She still was too drained to speak, so she simply nodded.
He sat next to her, and laid her head in his lap while they waited for Dobby to return. She closed her eyes and Harry would have sworn she was purring like a kitten. For the next few minutes, they remained like that, while he again gently stroked his hand through her hair.
Within a few minutes, a tray appeared full of thick sandwiches, fruit, chocolate and the two requested beverages. Harry leaned forward and retrieved two butterbeers from the tray and latterly hand fed Hermione. She recovered quickly, but remained lying in his lap feeling a warm glow radiate through her.
"Harry, thanks." She managed to hoarsely whisper.
"Mione, I shouldn't have pushed you. I'm sorry." He said, beginning to feel regret to pushing her.
"Forget it, I'm fine. Can you hand me a sandwich, though?" He handed her a plate and they ate without saying anything else. After she finished half of her sandwich, she again curled up with her head in his lap, and quickly fell asleep.
He sat there stroking her hair memorizing the moment with her curled up in his lap. She was so close, so warm, so soft; he could smell the sweet fragrance of strawberries and chocolate in her hair. He continued to watch her sleep, wishing she'd wake so he could hear her voice. He knew his feelings for here were changing, even though he knew all he would ever be to her was a close friend. I can't tell her, he thought, she'd hate me. She's in love with someone else.
He sat there; wishing she would wake and tell him there wasn't another guy, he wished he hadn't been so stupid over the past summer, when he tried to push her away. He sat there for several hours while she rested, stroking her hair, and wishing for more.
The night had slowly advanced while she napped, shortly he checked his watch and realized it was past supper, and he knew she had duties that night. He gently nudged her, hoping she would wake. All she did was pull his arm closer as if it were a teddy bear. Her grip on his arm, and his hand's current position made him even more uncomfortable. When she pulled on his arm, his hand came to rest in a very personal region.
"Hey, sleeping beauty… you need to wake up." He said softly as he tried to pull his arm free.
"Mmmm."
"You have to do your rounds. It's getting late."
"Hmm?"
"Mione, you gotta get up."
"Harry? where?"
"Library's lower level, remember? I talked you into trying that spell and you nearly blew us up."
"Spell? Harry?" She finally opened her eyes to see she was embracing his arm, and she noticed where his hand was located.
"HARRY!?"
"Hey, I just tried to wake you and you curled up like this." He began to blush when he realized exactly where his hand ended up.
She quickly sat up, trying to avoid his eyes, or she would have told him then.
"uhh… it's, umm nearly 8:00, Mione. I, ahh… tried to wake you."
"Forget it, Harry. How long were we…?" She tried to straighten her blouse, but each tug seemed to be counter-productive. She finally gave up after a little while and stood up. What she forgot was how drained she was from that spell, a five hour nap and some food helped, but her knees seemed to turn to rubber the second she stood. She found herself ungracefully melting to the floor in a heap.
"Since 3:00 or so. That's when Dobby left." Harry helped her to her feet, and with his support, they managed to return to the Gryffindor tower. Harry convinced Ron to fill in for her rounds that night; with promises she'd double on rounds up the next time.