Ch 30: French Escapades
Harry froze then staggered away to another bed and collapsed on it. "This is all my fault. I…I shouldn't have made him transform before I teleported us. Maybe if I hadn't, he wouldn't have…"
"It's not your fault, Harry, it's mine. I'm the Head Girl. I should have checked to make sure everyone got back to their rooms after the dance. I should have…"
"That is enough. Neither of you is responsible for what happened to Mr. Weasley last night. There is more than enough blame to spread between myself, Professor McGonagall, and the three students involved tonight. But assigning blame or feeling guilty will not help Mr. Weasley. What he will need is your support and understanding-more so now than ever before. Now if you will excuse me, I need to speak with Remus and make a few alterations to ensure that Mr. Weasley may remain with us here at Hogwarts." Dumbledore stared steadily at both Harry and Hermione for a moment, then walked over to Remus. The two of them then left, leaving Arthur and Molly by Ron's bedside.
Harry reached out for Hermione's hand, pulled himself up, and walked with her over to Ron's bed where they sat down beside his parents and looked down sadly at their best friend who continued to rest quietly.
*-*-*
Harry was still tired later that day as he sat with Draco and Dumbledore explaining his version of events to Lupin after Draco had finished.
Dumbledore looked very grim. "The Anima Extorsi ritual. One of the darkest, and most fiendish acts that one can commit in the Dark Arts. It hasn't been attempted in over a century." He looked directly at Draco. "I assume your father began the process sometime after school began…" Dumbledore continued after Draco's brief nod. "You are very lucky to have survived, Draco." He looked away, his voice quavering for a moment, "I find it very difficult to believe that even Lucius would attempt such a thing-to steal the soul of his only son and take his body…"
"You didn't know him like I did, sir," replied Draco quietly.
Albus gazed at him sadly for a moment and then looked at Harry. "And it was very fortunate for Draco that the dagger drew your blood as well, allowing you to help Draco interrupt the process of the final spell to finish the ceremony."
"Well, I saw Draco using the dagger on both himself and his father. And Voldemort had been very concerned with using my blood to bring himself back to life. I had done some research on spells involving the use of blood, but I had never come across the Anima Extorsi. I had a hunch there might be some significance to the blood and well, I guess I just lucked out."
"No, Harry, you did not just luck out. You trusted your instincts. And they rarely fail you," said Remus softly, his voice full of admiration. "Thank you, Draco. I believe I have all the information I need. Harry, if you could stay a moment, I have a few more questions."
After Draco had left, Lupin asked him again to recount everything that had taken place the night before when he went looking for Ron. When Harry had finished, he sat, thinking quietly.
"Harry, did you say that Ron's Animagus form appeared larger than normal?"
"Yes. And I think he's a little taller and a little heavier in his regular form as well, though it was hard to be sure last night."
"Hmmm. I'll check with his parents."
"And you said that the tracks were catlike, but had claw marks as well?" interrupted Dumbledore.
"Yes," replied Lupin as Harry nodded. "I went and checked them for myself with Samuel earlier this morning. Very strange."
"Why would that be sir? I didn't give it much thought last night, but…well, what do you think it means? How could he have transformed so quickly? Snape said if the Wolfsbane potion was administered within twenty-four hours then…"
Harry and Lupin both looked at Dumbledore who simply shrugged and replied, "Professor Snape, Harry. I do not understand what happened to Mr. Weasley yet. But I feel it is very important for us to find out."
-*-*-
Later that afternoon, the Weasley family, Harry, Hermione, and a number of Gryffindors were sitting or standing around Ron's bed visiting, trying to lift his spirits and reassure him. He had thrown several raging tantrums earlier in the morning when he woke up and was told about his new condition but since then had been unnaturally quiet. Amidst the light chatter, a new, soft voice tried to make itself heard.
"Ron? Ron?" Several of the Gryffindors moved aside as Ron sat up in his bed, trying to see who was talking to him.
Gabrielle Delacour stepped lightly to the end of his bed and slowly looked up into Ron's eyes. "Ron? I just wanted to say thank you. You saved my life last night in the forest. Thank you and…and I am so sorry about what happened last night. I feel like it's all my fault and I am soo…"
"Well, you're right about that. It was all your fault. If you hadn't ditched me to go off with Malfoy, neither one of us would have…"
"I'm sorry! I'm sorry!" she cried as she burst into tears and turned away, running for the door.
"That's right! Keep on running! Just like you did last night!" he yelled at the sobbing figure.
"Ron!" shouted out half a dozen voices.
"Weasel!"
A hush fell over the crowd and Ron tensed as Draco stepped into his view.
"She only came to offer her apologies, as am I. There is no need for you to jump all over…" His words were cut off as Ron sprang from his bed like a monster possessed and landed on his chest, knocking Draco flat on his back. Snarling, Ron wrapped his huge hands around Draco's throat and began squeezing.
"You…you did this Malfoy! Damn you Malfoy, you'll pay for this!"
Seamus and Dean grabbed one of his arms, Harry and Neville grabbed the other and tried to pull him off of Draco. Ron swept his right arm away and sent Seamus and Dean flying into the next bed. As Ron tensed his left arm, Harry pinched a nerve on top of the elbow and his arm fell limp to his side. Ron's right arm shot out and grabbed Harry by the throat as he screamed, "You're taking his side? You're trying to protect him?! Don't you know what he did to me?! I'm a werewolf because of him!"
Harry struggled to speak, but couldn't get any words out as he tried without luck to pry open Ron's fingers.
"Ron!" screamed Molly. "Let him go! He's your best friend!"
"He saved your life son!" shouted Arthur.
Harry watched the tendons in Ron's arm slowly relax and he pushed Ron's hand away, gasping for air. Ron stood and glared at the shocked group around him. "Go away. All of you. Go on, GET LOST!!!"
Hermione helped Harry to his feet, then Harry and Neville helped Draco while the twins helped Seamus and Dean. Molly lingered for a moment, but Arthur gently pulled her away. Ron stood still, ignoring everyone with his back turned.
As the group left, nobody noticed the thin girl standing by the wall with long, blonde hair watching sadly. When everyone had left, including Madame Pomfrey, she walked quietly to the far side of the room where Ron's bed was found.
"I heard you walking fifty feet ago. And I heard your heartbeat at twenty. Now, unless you're deaf, you heard me tell everyone to go away. So go. I don't want anyone bothering me. Just leave me alone."
"That's not what you want, Ron. And you know it."
"Don't tell me what I want or don't want. Who do you think you…" words failed him as he turned and saw Luna Lovegood standing there in front of him. "What do you want?"
"I didn't come here to talk about what I wanted, Ron. I came here to talk to you. I want to help if I can-just like the rest of your friends."
"Well, unless you know a cure for werewolves, you're out of luck. Now get lost."
"That's enough, Ronald Weasley!" she snapped. "Everyone here wants to help you and all you do is push people away. Stop feeling sorry for yourself."
"Wha…" was the only word Ron could muster at the moment as he looked at Luna. Something seemed different about her. Her eyes, which normally had a misty or slightly vague expression, were a bright blue and seemed to be boring straight into him. Her whole demeanor, which usually gave an impression of absentmindedness, appeared focused and sharp. In confusion, he bumped into the bed behind him and sat down.
"That's better," she continued in a slightly softer tone of voice as she too, sat down. "Now I'd like to talk to you about your problem and help if I can."
His anger returning, Ron snapped. "It's pretty obvious what my problem is…I'm a werewolf and unless you have a…"
"That's not your biggest problem Ron."
"What…what are you talking about? You don't even know me! How dare you…"
"I know you better than you think, Ron. You don't know exactly who you are or what you want to be-you've always had to compete with your older brothers. It's very tough to stand out in a family like yours. And the one chance you had, when you finally started at Hogwarts, you made best friends with the smartest witch in the school and the most famous wizard in the world. Until last spring, that wasn't too bad, you were part of the Trio that everyone somehow knew would find a way to defeat Voldemort. You're the funniest of the three, but you always knew that jokes weren't going to finish him off-it would be Hermione's brains and Harry's power that would triumph. And now you feel like the third wheel of the Trio, especially since Harry and Hermione have grown closer. You feel left behind and unsure how you fit in anymore."
Ron's eyes were wide and his jaw was hanging open as he listened.
"You pretend like you don't care about school, about what you're going to do after you graduate, but you do. But you don't know what you want in life, who you want to be. And you want to do something big, be somebody important, but you're not sure how to do it or if you have it in you. And you've been getting more frustrated because you can't figure it out."
Ron's hands had clenched into fists and he was looking away from Luna's penetrating gaze.
"And now you feel like you've lost everything, because of this werewolf bite. You've seen what Remus's life was like before, you're afraid you have no future, no opportunities before you, even if your dad is the new Minister of Magic. You're terrified that maybe there's nothing to live for now."
Ron was shaking now.
"You're afraid everyone will abandon you, that they will leave you all alone."
"GET OUT!" he screamed, leaping from his bed.
Luna just looked up at him calmly as he towered above her. "No."
"WHAT?!"
"I said no Ron. I'm your friend and I won't abandon you. And neither will your family and other friends. Listen, I know what it feels like to…"
"You have no idea how I feel!"
"Did Harry ever tell you why I could see thestrals?"
"What?! No."
"I didn't think so. Harry's a very loyal friend that way. Listen, Ron. I've exposed some of your secrets, it's only fair that I share one of mine. I can see thestrals because I saw my mum die when I was ten. She was a brilliant witch, but one of her experiments went wrong. I heard something in her lab, an explosion, and I ran to see what was wrong. I saw her lying on the floor, stretching her hand to me and then there was another explosion. I don't remember any more than that. The doctors were never sure what happened and they haven't been able to help me…"
"Help you, help you with what?" asked Ron.
Luna laughed, but it sounded bitter. Ron had never heard her laugh like that.
"Oh, don't act like you don't know Ron. There's no need to be polite about it-most people aren't and you've mentioned it more than once. You know, when I act goofy and loopy-the reason people call me Loony Lovegood."
Ron's face blushed red and he turned aside, feeling a strong sense of guilt wash over him.
Luna pretended not to notice. "The doctors believe something in the lab or the final explosion did something to me. But they haven't been able to figure out how to prevent those episodes when I act like-well, you've seen how strange I can act."
"So that's not the real you?" stammered Ron in shock.
"No. It's a part of me, but not the real me. This is the real me you see before you. The part that belongs in Ravenclaw. The part that comes to the surface often enough when I'm studying and taking exams to keep from getting thrown out of the school. And I suspect that Dumbledore knows something, very little gets past him. He's probably kept several professors from throwing me out of their classes. The worst part about Loony Lovegood is that the real me is still there when I start doing those silly things, but I can't do anything to avoid making a complete idiot of myself. So I know what it's like to be unsure of yourself, not knowing exactly who you are or where you are going."
Ron glanced up as Luna looked back at him for a moment and looked deep into her eyes. He then watched as a veil seemed to descend over her eyes, they lost their sparkle and intensity to be replaced with a slightly dreamy look.
"Luna!"
"Hello Ron. How are you doing? Does the werewolf bite hurt very much? I bet it itches like crazy. You know, the Quibbler ran an article on itching remedies last month-would you like me to mix one together for you?"
Ron stared at her for a moment and then replied softly. "Yes Luna. I would appreciate that very much."
"Really? Well let me get to work then!" and she bounced up from the bed and turned towards the door.
"Luna!" he called after her. "Would you mind telling my family and other friends that I'd like to see them if they want to come back?"
"Sure Ron. I'm sure they're very anxious to see you. I would be."
"And Luna? Thanks. Thanks for everything." She nodded and skipped out of the room. Ron crawled over to his bed and lay back on his pillow, thinking deeply.
--
A few days later as Ron walked to class with Harry and Hermione, he could smell the fear of the students around him in the halls as they watched him walk by nervously. He glanced over at Harry and asked quietly, "So is this what it was like when everyone thought you were the Heir of Slytherin in second year?"
Harry flashed a glance at Hermione before responding. "Yeah, pretty much."
"And in fifth year when half the school thought you had gone crazy and might have killed Cedric?"
"Well, that time, people usually tried to avoid being in the same hallway or room altogether. I think some of them thought I might be looking for a new victim," grimaced Harry.
"And last year, as you got rather short tempered from all the extra training you were doing?" When Harry just nodded, Ron continued. "I never realized how bad you had it Harry. I was such a prat. I'm really sorry Harry."
"There's no need to apologize Ron. And don't worry, the other students will get used to it."
"Will they? Or did you just learn to ignore them?" replied Ron.
Harry didn't reply as they reached their classroom and found their seats, many of the students giving the three nervous glances.
-*-*-
After dinner that night, Ron headed to the Quidditch pitch a few minutes before practice was scheduled to start. As he surveyed the field quietly with his broomstick slung casually on his shoulder, his nostrils flared in the evening breeze and he noticed someone sitting in the seats. Eyes narrowed, he recognized the girl and flew over on his broom.
"Hi Luna. What are doing out here?"
"I came out to watch my favorite Quidditch captain."
Ron blushed and then noticed she was shivering. "Didn't you bring a blanket? It's going to get cold watching the practice."
"Really?" she replied, looking up at the sky. "Clear night, stars bright, wind light-yeah, I think you're right. It might get chilly tonight. I should have thought of bringing a blanket. I did bring some hot cocoa, though. I put loads of marshmallows in. Do you like them? Would you like some? I mean some cocoa with the marshmallows. Or just the marshmallows if you prefer. I have some of both."
"No, that's all right. You'll need it if you're going to stay."
"Oh," she said in a disappointed tone. Ron looked at her and then raised his wand, praying that it would work. "Accio blanket." Ron ducked instinctively as a thick comforter with a Gryffindor lion stitched into it flew right at him and then struck Luna in the chest, knocking her over backwards off of her seat.
"Sorry about that, here, let me help you up," he said as he extended his hand and pulled Luna back up.
"Thank you Ron, that was very thoughtful," said Luna as she stood up and shook out the quilt to wrap around her. "Are you sure you wouldn't like a cup of cocoa before practice starts?"
Ron looked at her bright, shining eyes and nodded. "On second thought, I think I will. Thank you Luna."
"No problem. Are you nervous about practice tonight?" she asked as she pulled out a large thermos and unscrewed the lid.
Ron stopped in surprise. "Am I that obvious?"
"Sometimes. But it makes sense that you'd be nervous tonight. I mean, this is the first time you will have to talk to Gabrielle and Draco since you-er, told them off in the infirmary, right?"
"Yeah. I'm not sure what to do."
"Just tell them you're sorry."
"And why should I…"
She looked at Ron sternly. "Don't you think they deserve an apology despite everything that happened to you?"
Ron glared at her for a minute before his gaze softened. "Yeah, I reckon they do."
"Keep it simple, they won't be expecting much of an apology from you," added Luna helpfully.
"Thanks, Luna," he muttered.
"You're welcome Ron," she replied brightly, ignoring his sarcasm.
"Luna, I tried to thank you before, but I don't know if you…"
"I heard. And I remember," she explained with a small smile.
"Well, I just wanted to thank you again. You gave me a lot to think about the other day. I'm still trying to work out some of the things, but…but I'm glad you said what you did. I think I really needed to hear some of those things."
Luna leaned forward and laid a hand on Ron's forearm. "I was glad to help Ron. If you ever want to talk about anything else, just let me know. I'd be more than happy to-Oh look! Here comes the rest of the team! You know Ron, you guys are going to do great at the tournament. I've been working on a new Hogwart's banner to take to the first game at Beauxbatons. Would you like to see it? Here, I'll show you," she chattered excitedly as she unrolled an enormous roll of cloth she had hidden behind the bench.
Ron looked at the animated banner with roaring lions chewing hissing serpents and commented "That's very nice Luna," as the rest of the team walked over. Hermione and several other Gryffindors sat down by Luna as students from other houses sat in different sections of the stands.
Ron turned around and barked, "All right! Let's get in the air and start running the first set of drills!" He watched with satisfaction as his team mounted their brooms and began flying off. "Malfoy! Delacour! I want a word with the two of you!" He motioned for them to follow him to a part of the pitch away from the other students.
As he glanced at them, he saw Gabrielle looked very nervous and Malfoy appeared defensive. "First of all, I wanted to apologize to the two of you for what I said and for what I tried to do a couple of days ago in the infirmary. I'm sorry."
Both of them looked at him in complete shock.
"Right then. Gabrielle, what I need you to do before the next practice is work up a list of who you think might make the team for Beauxbatons. And I want you to provide a breakdown for our team of each player's strengths and weaknesses so we can begin working up a few strategies. Malfoy, I need you to go through the flying drills again."
"What? Trying to find a way to kick me off?"
Ron clenched his teeth trying to control his volatile temper before he replied. "I need to find out how good a flier you really are Malfoy. Not your father, you."
"Ron!" gasped Gabrielle.
"Stay out of this, Gabrielle," warned Ron.
Malfoy's face went white with rage as he hissed. "I'll admit that my father was a better flier than I ever was in school. But I haven't forgotten a single thing I learned while I had to watch him try to steal my life. And I can still outfly you Weasel, even if my dad's not the one calling the shots now."
"Let's see it then," countered Ron.
He folded his arms across his chest and watched quietly as the two mounted their brooms and flew off. A few minutes later, Ron let a grim smile creep over his face. Apparently Malfoy had learned a thing or two about flying in the past few months. And he knew that if he could set aside his bitter feelings towards Malfoy, maybe his team had added one more weapon to its arsenal for the upcoming Quidditch tournament.
*-*-*
Sunday night, Harry spoke to Ron quietly while their roommates were finishing getting ready for bed. "Listen Ron, Hermione and I have been talking. We can go some other time-I-we don't want to leave you all alone right now, what with everything that has happened."
"Don't worry Harry. I'll be fine. My family has been great and I've been visiting a lot with Remus. You guys go to France and have fun reading books or whatever. I'll see you Saturday for the match against Beauxbatons."
"Are you sure Ron?"
"Yeah. I still can't believe Dumbledore is letting the two of you go by yourselves to France. If I could skip school for a week and take a girlfriend I would…"
"Which is why he'd never let you go. Dumbledore knows he can trust us. Besides, it's not like we're going to be sharing a room at some French villa or something Ron. We're staying in separate dorms at the University. Dumbledore already arranged it."
"Yeah, but I'll bet the doors and the stairs don't keep the boys out of the girls' rooms there Harry. Besides, I'm sure you could break any charms they might have…"
"Go to sleep Ron. We're done talking about this."
"No, listen Harry. You'll be able to do anything. Nobody would ever know. It's the perfect…"
"Silencio. Good night Ron. I'll try and remember to take off that spell before I leave tomorrow morning."
*-*-*
Several days later Harry looked back at Hermione as they paused to catch their breath on the steep mountain path. Together, they looked back down the beautiful valley through which tumbled a rocky tributary that joined the River Aude and eventually emptied into the Mediterranean Sea. Several miles back along the path they had been following, they could make out the turreted silhouette of the enormous castle where the University held its classes.
"I still can't believe Dumbledore gave us almost a week here before the match. It's beautiful here isn't it, Mione?"
"Yes it is."
"Admit it. You're glad I dragged you out of that dusty old archive to see this."
"Yes, Harry, I'm glad we went for a walk this afternoon-the French countryside is beautiful this time of year. And the picnic lunch was wonderful. But as soon as we get back, I'm going to finish reading the entire Montoli manuscript. And I want you to…"
"I know, I know. But let's just try and enjoy this afternoon, alright?"
Hermione grinned and gave Harry a hug and a peck on the cheek. "You're right," she whispered happily.
"Of course I am," laughed Harry as he tugged her along the grassy path. "Do you know where we're going?"
"No. Do you?"
"Of course. One of the other researchers said there were some very interesting ruins about another mile or so away. You know, this area of France is covered with the destroyed castles of the Cathars…"
"The Cathars?"
Harry turned and looked at her in surprise. "You haven't heard of them?"
"Well of course I have. I didn't know that you had Harry," teased Hermione softly.
"I guess I'm just your average, stereotypical Quidditch player-all brawn and no brains, huh?" joked Harry, faking hurt feelings.
"I'm kidding Harry. I've never thought there was anything ordinary about you," replied Hermione as she gave him a soft kiss. "But please, continue with the history lesson. I'm very interested in hearing more."
"Well, this area of France, Languedoc, was a pretty wild place during the Middle Ages. The local leaders gave allegiance to some of the nobility of France and Spain, as well as the Catholic Church. But there were a lot of people with very different ideas as well. One of them, a group of people that disagreed with some of the Catholic Church's teachings, got labeled as heretics. The Catholic Church got very upset with what they were preaching and launched a Crusade against them in what, the fifteenth century?"
"The thirteenth. But go on," urged Hermione.
"Anyways, a lot of the knights in northern France came south to fight. To the east of here, at Beziers, they laid siege to the entire town. It fell in less than a day and they slaughtered everyone in the city and burned it to the ground. They murdered every single person they found, all twenty thousand of them. They didn't spare anyone-they killed men, women, children, soldiers, peasants, priests, nuns, Catholics and Cathars. One of the leaders was supposed to have said, `Kill them all, God will know his own.'" Harry shuddered as he continued. "When they threatened to do the same thing to the city of Carrcassone, just to the south of here, the townspeople finally surrendered when they ran out of clean water and began dying of disease. They didn't massacre that population, but they took everything they owned and then installed a new viscount over this region, a French knight named Simon de Montfort. He spent the next twenty years or so hunting down and killing every Cathar he could find. Many of the Cathars retreated to mountain fortresses like the one we're going to see. In fact, I believe the University is built on the site of one of their ancient strongholds as well."
"Very good Harry. Where did you learn all of that?"
"What? Haven't you read Pichateau, A History?"
Hermione just chuckled.
"What I don't fully understand though is why the knights in northern France would do this to their own countrymen? I guess part of it was religious belief, but…I don't know. There must be something more."
"Well," began Hermione, "just like any decision, every historical event has multiple factors and causes. For the Albigensenian Crusade of 1209-1239, there were a number of compelling motives for the people of the time. Religion was a primary reason. The Cathars threatened to undermine everything the Catholic church stood for and taught. The Cathars had radically different beliefs about men and women's roles, about chastity and morality, about the need for an earthly church, and about the very concept of good and evil, virtue and vice. Many in the Catholic church sincerely believed that beliefs outside of orthodox Catholicism damned a person's soul to hell and should therefore be eliminated. The idea of religious toleration really didn't exist within the medieval Christian mindset, but that really didn't distinguish it too much from other religious beliefs of the time.
Apart from that, there were tremendous opportunities for the knights that came south. Some of the knights who came south were looking for opportunities to expand their land holdings, to win more land for themselves. Technically, there was no France or Spain at the time, so it's not like they were attacking fellow Frenchmen. Most of medieval Europe was comprised of various kingdoms, not separate nation-states. Actually, the people of Languedoc were culturally and linguistically closer to the people of Spain and the province of Aragon than they were to the French speaking regions to the north.
Some of the knights came for an opportunity to prove themselves on the field of battle and receive honor, recognition, and perhaps more land at home or here in the fields of conquest. Many came for the forty days of service, called a quarantine, which was counted by the Church as service in the war against Infidels and would win for them an extension to pay off debts, a sum of money from the Church and more importantly, an indulgence, a forgiveness of all their sins and a guaranteed place in Heaven.
The pope of the time, Innocent III, used this Crusade to strengthen the power of the church as well. This Crusade was not aimed at retaking the Holy Land from the Muslims, but to purge western Europe of alternative Christian interpretations of faith that challenged the Catholic Church. It also led to the creation of the Inquisition, which would continue to seek out and destroy heresy for centuries afterwards."
Harry shook his head slowly, sadly. "We just don't seem to learn from our mistakes do we?"
"We're not the only ones, Harry," agreed Hermione sadly. "Think about the Goblin revolts, the three Dragon wars, the Troll rebellions, and the Dwarven civil wars, not to mention all the…Oh, I'm sorry Harry, I didn't mean to spoil the afternoon with all this depressingly morbid commentary…"
"It's all right," explained Harry, "I was just thinking about the Clone wars."
"The Clone wars?"
"Yeah. You probably haven't heard of them though. They happened in a galaxy far, far away…"
Hermione playfully punched him in the shoulder. "That was a terrible joke, Harry."
"Ouch," teased Harry. "Look, let's stop trying to understand and solve all of the world's problems for at least another two hours and just enjoy the beautiful scenery and each other's company."
"That sounds like an excellent idea, Mr. Potter," grinned Hermione as she wrapped her arms around him and gave him a very pleasant kiss.
*-*-*
The following day, Harry pulled off his glasses and rubbed his eyes tiredly. "How can you just sit there and read for hours without moving?" he asked casually as he stretched his cramped back muscles. "Mione," he added in a louder voice.
"Did you find something Harry?"
"No, I was just-never mind."
"Hmm," was her only response as she carefully unrolled a new scroll to study.
Harry stretched again and felt several of his vertebrate pop back into place and stared in frustration through the window of the small reading room where he could see shelf after shelf of carefully protected scrolls, manuscripts, and books. The chief librarian had initially resisted allowing them access at all to any of the records even with Dumbledore's written recommendation. After a long, and rather heated discussion with Hermione, he had finally relented and allowed them access to the holdings of the French University. Since then, even the archivist had been deeply impressed by Hermione's work ethic. With the exception of the one afternoon Harry had insisted they take off to go hiking, they had been in the reading room every day for a week. Even Harry was amazed at the amount of material they had been able to read.
*-*-*
Thursday night, Harry led Hermione to a popular café in a small wizarding village close to the University that one of the other researchers had recommended. It was full of students and animated discussion. Midway through an entrée of cheese and some delicious fish that Harry couldn't identify, Hermione informed him that the University had invited them to attend one of the University DADA classes the following afternoon.
"I don't know Mione, I really don't want to have to say anything or…"
"We're just going as regular students to listen to the lecture. One of the administrators will attend with us but it's not like they're going to make you get up in front and teach the class or anything, Harry. We'll just go and listen to the professor teach-it should be very interesting. Besides, we've seen nearly everything that's related to Atlantis here in the archives-we should be done by early afternoon tomorrow."
"And you thought the best way to take a break before the Quidditch match on Saturday would be to attend a class at a school we don't even attend? What would Ron say?"
"He wouldn't say much if he could eat at this place. The food here is simply superb."
"I can't argue with that," replied Harry as he reached for another roll.
*-*-*
Harry and Hermione took a seat with one of the administrators in the rear of a large auditorium. A thin, waspish professor with a narrow, pinched face looked sternly at the class. As he began speaking, Hermione translated for Harry telepathically.
"The papers on the theory of Harmonial Defense were so abysmal that I stopped reading after the fifth paper and tossed them all in the trash. If you would like a grade, you will give me a complete rewrite by Monday."
Angry murmurs buzzed in the large room as he glared dismissively at the students. "I hope you have finished the reading for today. And I hope your papers on the underlying theories of sensory alteration due today are much better. Now who can explain for me Briggle's ideas about how the Focusing charm alters how the mind interprets visual images?
Half an hour later, after the professor had finished brushing off yet another student's response as inaccurate and poorly reasoned, a student raised his hand cautiously.
Before the student spoke, Harry whispered to Hermione, "I didn't know the French had a nastier version of Snape."
Hermione shot him a glare but did not contradict him.
"Yes Mr. Johnson?" sneered the professor.
"Well Professor Chenalt, we've discussed the different ways in which the charm can enhance one's senses to see or hear more clearly or at a distance, but is there a way to reverse the charm?"
"Reverse the charm? What do you mean?"
"Well if someone could enhance one's sight with this charm, couldn't one also blind someone using a variation of the charm?"
"Ah, Mr. Johnson. I was waiting for a comment from one of our pugilistic friends from across the ocean. Really, is that all you Americans ever think about? How to attack with spells?"
"Actually, I was more concerned with being able to counter this charm if someone was trying to blind me with it."
"It's more likely they would try and silence your wagging tongue, Mr. Johnson," quipped the professor, to the laughter of many students in the room. "Do not worry, theoretically, it is impossible for this charm to be used in such a way as to harm someone."
"Actually sir, I believe you could," announced a voice from the far back. Harry shook his head in disbelief and chuckled quietly as Hermione continued. "Simply increasing the amount of either the visual or auditory sensory input would be enough to cause tremendous physical pain, possibly insanity. Freidrich Buehler and Elena Rodriguez have both pointed out that by increasing the…" Students in the audience were craning their necks to see who was boldly contradicting the professor.
"And you are…"
"I'm Hermione Granger, sir."
"I don't recall having a student enrolled in my class with your name, Miss."
"I'm not enrolled in the University. I'm a student at Hogwarts. I'm here on a research trip visiting your wonderful archives and…"
"Then perhaps you should stay in the archives and quit wasting our precious time here in my classroom. I am well aware of the theories of both Buehler and Rodriguez, neither of which apply to this case."
"But their research has been critical to increasing our understanding of how the Unforgivable Curses like the Cruciatus curse work and some of the latest research shows promising leads to discovering effective countercurses and defensive spells against them," insisted Hermione.
"And I just stated that they don't apply to the Focusing charm we are studying today. In fact, Pierre de la Carre's research indicates that their assumptions are way off and unworkable. And my own study of the problem proves that theoretically, their work is inconsistent. For example, their inclusion of what Muggles call science is laughable. And their attempt to incorporate so called Muggle knowledge to explain magic is not only incomprehensible, it is simply wrong. Only a Muggleborn witch like Rodriguez would even care what the Muggles would have to say about anything. And we all know that Mudbloods never fully understand the world of magic as well as purebloods." The professor smiled slightly as a number of students chuckled at his remarks.
Hermione's voice grew slightly louder. "I don't see what difference it makes in Rodriguez' work whether or not she was Muggleborn. And I have read some of de la Carre's research, but I thought most researchers had written off his work years ago as severely biased and poorly reasoned. I have also read several of your articles in Magical Theory and Structure, but I didn't realize you had published anything recently. Your last article was in 1968, but I don't believe it had anything to do with what you are discussing today."
Even from the distance at which they were seated from the professor, Hermione and Harry could see the veins bulge in his neck as his face reddened with fury. "For your information, you misguided little know it all, I studied for years with de la Carre, and he was one of the brightest theorists and philosophers of magic France has ever produced. And not that it's any of your business, but I have several articles that will be published shortly. Now if you are done wasting the time of my class on your poorly reasoned and clueless guesses about the nature of magic, something I have been studying since before your parents were born, I will continue.
As I was saying, before I was so rudely interrupted, it is theoretically impossible for the charm to be altered in such a way as to hurt someone. Even if it were theoretically possible-which it is not-the spellcaster would have to invest a ridiculous amount of energy in the spell in order to amplify the strength of the spell to harmful levels, as suggested by the helpful little girl in the back. Therefore, even if it were theoretically possible for a wizard to do that, it would take so much power that nobody would be able to cast it. Besides nobody would be interested in such a spell except our young, overly aggressive friend from the United States."
"What about Dark Wizards?" asked Hermione loudly.
"Do not interrupt my class again, little girl, or I will throw you out myself. There's no such thing as a truly Dark Wizard. These so-called Dark Wizards that you sometimes read about in the papers are all too often misrepresented, misunderstood, and are actually slightly misguided heroes simply trying to address legitimate grievances. The ministries of magic like to use them to gain political and economic power and to justify their continued existence and their use of coercive power over the wizarding world. And of course the papers like them because they sell papers. But believe me when I tell you that the ministries of magic are much more dangerous than any so called Dark Wizard.
For example, look at the so-called Second War against Lord Voldemort that took place last spring in Great Britain. Lord Voldemort and his supporters, conveniently labeled `Death Eaters' by the British papers to make them appear more sinister, had legitimate complaints with the British Ministry of Magic. Since they were conveniently excluded from the so-called legal and legitimate process, they tried to resolve those issues the only way they could and launched a campaign of resistance and liberation. And look at the tremendous cost during the final battle-the blood of hundreds of creatures was spilt for the greater good and glory of the British Ministry of Magic. Hundreds of Dementors, endangered wolves, trolls, and nearly fifty rare giants were brutally slaughtered that day, as well as scores of wizards and witches loyal to Lord Voldemort's cause. They probably would have slaughtered the dragons as well, if they hadn't switched sides at the last minute. From what I understand, the field where they fought was devastated-the Ministry carelessly used such powerful magic that they destroyed the land for acres around the field of combat. Poor Lord Voldemort and his followers were lured into a treacherous ambush by the deceptive Ministry. They didn't try talking to them, they didn't try to understand things from their perspective, they simply attacked them. What a tragic waste."
"If you believe a single word of any of that rubbish you just dumped on us, you're stupider than you look," announced a cold, angry voice from the back of the room.
"What?! What was that?!"
"Mione, could you help me out here?" asked Harry, his temper rising. Harry then repeated himself in fluent French.
His face livid, Professor Chenalt looked up in rage. "I thought I told you to keep…"
Harry stood, barely controlling his anger. "She didn't say anything. I did. And I'm telling you that not one of those things you just said has any resemblance to the truth. Voldemort and his Death Eaters weren't some sort of noble freedom fighters or valiant crusaders for some worthy cause. They were murderers, thugs, and terrorists. And the only thing they wanted was to destroy the world and remake it in their image by killing everyone who opposed them. You can't negotiate or reason with evil like Voldemort-you fight it and destroy it if you can."
"Let me guess, you're a classmate of the girl from Hogwarts here to enlighten us." Mockingly, he looked upward and said, "Heaven save us from the British," which earned a number of laughs.
"Well, somebody has to help the French because everyone knows the French can't save themselves," muttered someone in the crowd to a few chuckles.
Chenalt glared at Johnson, who simply shrugged his shoulders as if he had no idea who had said that, before staring angrily at Harry. "Enough! And you! I don't know who you think you are, insulting me in my own class. How dare you? Don't they teach you any manners at Hogwarts?"
"They teach me how to use magic, they don't waste my time on this theoretical and philosophical nonsense you've been blathering on about all afternoon. And they don't waste my time with their own shortsighted political biases, their insane conspiracy theories, or their idiotic prejudices."
"Ahh, they teach you how to use magic at a magic school. How refreshing. Tell you what, why don't you come down here and demonstrate your little friend's theory for the entire class. Come on down to the front and cast the Focusing charm on me. See if you can cause me any harm, as your friend suggested was possible."
The administrator spoke out, "Professor Chenalt, I don't think that would be a good…"
"This is my class. Do not worry, nothing will happen. But I think our two young visitors need a lesson in respect-something they obviously haven't learned at Hogwarts. Come on young man, don't be shy-you weren't before. I'll even tell you the incantatation-Sensoris altus. Come now, do your best."
Harry slowly walked down the stairs to stand before the arrogant professor. He pushed his long blonde hair out of his eyes and his blue eyes met those of the professor. "Are you sure about this?" he asked.
"Haven't lost your nerve, have you boy? Go on then, don't keep wasting my time."
Harry drew his wand and aimed it slowly at the thin professor. "Sensoris altus."
The professor's eyes went wide in surprise. "You managed to cast it," he whispered in surprise.
"I told you they taught me how to cast magic at Hogwarts. I learned with Albus Dumbledore and some of the greatest wizards and witches in the world. We can stop your little experiment now if you want. Before you get hurt."
"Do your worst, boy. An adult wizard would have great difficult summoning the power to make this spell dangerous. I seriously doubt that you will be able to…"
"Altus auditorium," spoke Harry clearly as he rotated his wand clockwise. The professor fell to his knees, clapping his hands over his ears and screamed. Harry immediately snapped his wand upwards to aim it at the ceiling and whispered, "Finite Incantatum." Chenalt stayed on his knees, his hands resting on the floor, drawing in deep gulps of air. He looked up at Harry with fear and pain in his eyes. "How did you…how could you…that shouldn't have been possible."
Harry looked at him for a moment, then walked over to the table that stood in front of the classroom as Chenalt unsteadily rose to his feet. Harry removed his disguised features he had adapted with his metamorphmagus abilities and allowed his regular features to return. There were gasps among the students as they recognized the messy black hair and the scar on the forehead above his glasses.
"You…you're Harry Potter."
Harry's cold glance swept over the auditorium filled with students before resting on the cowering professor. "Before I leave today, I'd like to set the record straight on the Second War with Voldemort. You're supposed to educate, but all you do is spread your own misunderstandings and biases. You think we should have talked to Voldemort and his followers? You think they were fighting for some noble purpose or goal? Let me show you what they were like. Let me show you what the Second War was like." Pointing his wand at a thick textbook, Harry said quietly "Formus Pensieve." With a wide waving motion, he cast a second spell at the entire audience. "Sensoris altus." Then he pointed his wand at his head, and pulled out several silver strands which he then placed in the large Pensieve he had transfigured. Then he touched the shimmering surface with his wandtip and then waved it around him in a complete circle. Immediately the classroom took on the appearance of a graveyard as Harry replayed scenes from the rebirth of Voldemort. Screams of terror and horror burst out throughout the room. Then he showed them several of his discussions and battles with Death Eaters at the Department of Mysteries and at the Black Mansion. Gasps and sobs echoed in the room. Then in the center of the room appeared a young black robed figure flying on a broomstick over green fields. The crowd watched as he landed in a large, gently sloping field with a large lake, a heavily wooded forest, and a sheer cliff off in the distance. The students then gasped in fear as the first Death Eaters arrived and threatened Harry. Then there were more screams and shouts of terror as Lord Voldemort himself appeared. As the final battle commenced in earnest, there were more shouts of terror and fear. Harry let them experience the full horror and fear of the final battle as he had witnessed it, except the final death of Voldemort himself when his parents and Sirius appeared-that was too personal. At the end, he let them feel some of his own weariness and exhaustion and despair for fallen friends when the battle was finally over before announcing Finite Incantatum. He looked around the room at many of the students who sat shocked in disbelief, with tears streaming down their faces, and many of them shaking quietly in their seats. Finally he turned towards the professor who leaned exhaustedly against the table, his head held in his hands with his shoulders shaking.
"That is what we experienced in Great Britain last spring. Voldemort was a terror that had to be stopped. Part of the reason it was so horrible was because the Ministry of Magic refused to accept the reality of Voldemort's return. They preferred to believe he remained dead and defeated. By ignoring the threat, Voldemort nearly gained enough power to defeat us that day. And if he had won that day, he wouldn't have stopped with conquering Great Britain. If you still believe that you can reason or negotiate with evil like Voldemort or Dark Wizards like him, then there is nothing more I can do to help enlighten you." With a final glance at the quivering professor, Harry added, "Here endeth the lesson." He then walked back up the steps and joined Hermione in walking out of the classroom without looking back.
*-*-*
"Mr. Potter, Miss Granger, I cannot find words strong enough to apologize for the behavior of Professor Chenalt today…I am truly sorry for his remarks and can only hope that…"
"Don't worry about it," urged Hermione. "Let's just try and enjoy our dinner tonight." She, Harry, and the apologetic administrator were sharing dinner at the same café Harry and Hermione had eaten at the night before. Harry leaned back in the booth and looked over the table at the crowd of witches and wizards without saying anything. Nearly every table was taken, and more students were crowding in along the bar.
As Hermione reached for a piece of bread to go with her salad she heard Harry's tense voice inside her head. "Mione, get your wand out now."
"What's wrong Harry?" she asked as she reached inside her bag for her wand.
"Somebody just put up an anti-Apparation ward. We've got to go."
Harry stood up, glancing around the crowded restaurant and extended his hand to Hermione. Hermione quickly stood beside him, wand out and ready, looking around anxiously and squeezing Harry's hand nervously.
"Follow me," he ordered and headed towards the nearest exit.
"Please stop your search for Atlantis."
Harry and Hermione froze and in shock turned back to the university representative. Again he spoke in an odd tone. "Please stop your search for Atlantis."
Harry watched him for a moment and then looked around the restaurant to try and determine if anyone else was involved while Hermione replied.
"I don't know what you're talking about. As Professor Dumbledore explained, we were just here doing some research for…"
"Please stop your search for Atlantis. The prophecy must not be fulfilled. Please give me your oath that you will not pursue it further and you may live."
"Who the hell do you think you are threatening us?" replied Harry in a low, angry voice.
"What prophecy?" asked Hermione. "Tell us."
The man seemed confused for a moment before looking at Hermione. "Give me your oath and I will give you your life," he repeated.
Harry's eyes snapped around as he realized the background noise in the restaurant had dropped considerably.
"I cannot give you my oath. Someone is seeking these artifacts to do great harm to the world. We have to stop them by finding them first. You can help us by telling us about the prophecy."
The man was getting agitated and the room had fallen completely silent. "Give me your oath," he demanded.
"I will not," declared Hermione, clutching her wand tightly.
"Then you must die," he replied and raised his wand. The wand shot out of his hand before he could even begin a spell as Harry disarmed him easily and grabbed Hermione's shoulder.
"Come on, let's get out of here." He turned again towards the exit and his mouth dropped open in surprise to see nearly a dozen students blocking their way and moving slowly towards them. He then attempted to teleport them out of the restaurant only to realize that an anti-teleportation spell had been cast as well. The wandless administrator leaped forward, his hands reaching for Hermione's neck as Harry's fist shot out. There was a nasty crack as his nose broke and then he dropped to the floor unconscious. With a flick of his wrist, Harry's wand appeared in his hand and he turned to face the crowd moving slowly towards them again, cursing under his breath.
"Don't hurt them Harry."
"What?"
"I think they're being controlled."
"Like the Imperious curse?"
"Something like that."
"Can you find the spellcasters casting the anti-Apparation wards and distract them long enough for us to escape?"
"I'll try."
Harry stepped in front of Hermione and waved his wand in several crisp motions while he shouted out several spells. "Rictosempera! Tarantatellegra! Duermaias!" The closest ten students began laughing hysterically, dancing in place, or fell to the ground, sound asleep.
"Tickling charms? A Jelly-legs jinx? laughed Hermione. "And a sleeping charm? You're an elemental mage and you're using 2nd year spells?"
While he continued to cast spells, he replied sarcastically. "You said not to hurt them. It's the best I could come up with Mione. Most of the spells I've studied were to beat Voldie and his Death Munchers. I must have missed the book on Killing your Enemies with Kindness. And Hunt sure hasn't emphasized many friendly spells. So unless you've got a better idea, let me deal with these mindless morons my way and you just worry about…"
"What about a Banishing Barrier to keep them away from…"
She didn't finish her thought as Harry tackled her as a green light flashed over the two. "Expelliarmus!" roared Harry at the wizard who had cast the spell. He saw two more wizards with their wands out and disarmed them quickly and then waved his arms to raise a shield that would prevent the students from getting close enough to physically attack either one of them.
"Have you found them yet?"
"I'm looking, I'm looking…" replied Hermione.
"We're running out of time and we're heavily outnumbered here Mione. One of them is bound to get off a lucky spell before I disarm all of them unless we find…"
"There he is! The one in the red cap by the door."
"Just one?"
"Yes! Now…"
"Petrifucus Totalus!" yelled Harry at the wizard across the room. The wizard ducked and ran out the front door.
"Will you be all right for a moment?" asked Harry.
"I'll be fine. Just go get him. I'll cover you."
Harry sprinted for the door as Hermione cast spells that knocked down the students closest to his path but there were too many between him and the door where the wizard had escaped. He sent a quick thought to Hermione and then turned to his left sharply, avoiding half a dozen hands that were reaching for him and knocking aside two wands that were aimed at him. Hermione tripped up three students between him and the booth that had a window as Harry raised his wand and yelled "Reducto!" as he sprinted forward. At full speed, he jumped onto the bench and then the table as if they were steps and then dove headfirst through the shattering window as glass shards exploded outwards. He tucked his body in midair and rolled easily over his shoulder and came up running in the direction the wizard had taken. To his surprise, the wizard had stopped right outside the door as if waiting for Harry to appear.
"Do not raise the Dark Queen!" hissed the man and then disappeared with a loud crack as Harry aimed his wand to launch a particularly nasty spell.
"Hermione! Are you OK?" screamed Harry as he sprinted back towards the front door of the restaurant.
"I'm fine Harry."
"Why didn't you Apparate away?"
Everyone in here is back to normal, though they're very confused. Did you catch him?"
"No. He Apparated away before I could catch him."
Harry ran back through the front doors of the restaurant and the groups of people staring oddly at each other. He found Hermione helping the heavily bleeding administrator back to his seat and put some ice in a napkin on his nose.
"Uhh, that was a nasty fall you had there," offered Harry.
Hermione glanced at him and rolled her eyes and then gasped. "What happened to your face, you're bleeding. And your shoulder, too. Are you…"
"I'm fine. It's just a few scratches-no big deal. I can take care of these."
Hermione looked at him skeptically.
"Well, Hunt got tired of listening to Pomfrey's lectures on safe educational practices and insisted that I pass a basic FAFAFA course in addition to my other training."
At Hermione's puzzled expression he explained with a slight smile. "First Aid For Auror Field Agents."
"I'm sure Pomfrey will be delighted to hear that now you're treating yourself for your school related injuries Harry," replied Hermione sarcastically.
Harry's smile faded. "Mione, how could one wizard have cast that many Imperious curses while maintaining both the anti-Apparation and anti-teleportation wards? I've never heard of anything like that. And if he was powerful enough to do that, why didn't he just attack us himself?"
"I don't know Harry. But I don't think it was the Imperious curse. If it was, they would still be trying to kill us. I think it was some variation of the spell."
"I still don't understand how a wizard could have cast that many spells simultaneously. Not even Dumbledore could…"
"He wasn't a wizard Harry."
"What? But I saw…"
"What you saw was a house-elf Harry."
"A what? Are you sure? But how could a house-elf do all that?"
"Do you have any idea how powerful house-elves are?"
"Not really. I've seen Dobby cast a few spells without a wand, but I haven't thought about it too much. When Dobby assured me that they could maintain the anti-Apparition wards during the final battle against Voldemort, I tested him to make sure but I really have no idea how much magical power they have."
"I don't think anybody knows for sure Harry because I doubt anybody has ever paid that much attention to house-elves. When we get back to Hogwarts I want to have a little chat with Dobby."
"Yeah, I think I'll join you Mione. Right now, I think it's time for us to go. I'm afraid we've worn out our welcome here. Are you all packed?"
"Of course."
"Good, let me grab my things and we'll get out of here."
"Shouldn't we notify somebody and…"
"And tell them what? That somebody set their house-elf on us? From what Hunt has told me about hunting Dark Wizards in France, the last thing we want to do is get stuck in the middle of one of their Auror investigations. And it's not like they have anything to work with here-all they've got is a broken nose and a shattered window. Besides, I'll bet we're the only ones who remember anything."
"But Harry…"
"But nothing. Somebody wants us dead here and is willing and able to sacrifice dozens of innocent people to do it. We'll go back to my home outside of Hogsmeade for the night and then go to Beauxbatons for the Quidditch match tomorrow morning. You take the master bedroom and I'll crash in one of the guest rooms. But first I think we should have our little chat with Dobby."
Hermione nodded her agreement, grabbed his shoulder and they disappeared.
*-*-*
Next: Hogwarts vs. Beauxbatons
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