Unofficial Portkey Archive

Harry Potter and the Triptych

By Vickles

Disclaimer: If I owned this stuff HBP would have been a totally different story.

Author's Note: Since I've made you all wait so long the author's note will be at the bottom. Happy reading!

~*~

Chapter 8: Repercussions

~*~

After many comfortable minutes of silence, Hermione was the one who finally broke the ice, her voice betraying some residual mirth, "You know, we should probably do what Ron and I came up here to do."

"What's that?" Harry asked, not thinking.

"We were going to set up her new mattress," Ron said, sitting up and getting off the bed, reaching out his hands to help them as well. They each took a hand and he pulled them up to a standing position.

"Oh," Harry replied, "Well then I suppose that we should get this out of the way, then." Harry bent down and grabbed the mattress, lifting it up with some effort. "What?" he asked, seeing Hermione and Ron's shocked expressions.

"We…uh…well…er…" Ron stuttered.

Hermione nodded, agreeing with him even though he was not saying anything, "Exactly."

"Huh?" Harry was thoroughly confused.

Hermione gasped, speaking slowly and quietly, "Okay, um, Harry, just put the mattress down…that's it. Thank you. Now," she turned to Ron and then back to Harry, "Both of you come with me. We need to talk."

Harry and Ron nodded wordlessly, following her out of the room. Without thinking about it Harry knew that they were headed to his bedroom. The place had become a source of comfort for all three of them lately, so it made sense that if they were going to discuss something important, that would be the location do it in.

They entered his room and Hermione conjured three cushions, setting them together on the floor. Hermione sat on one cushion, motioning for Harry and Ron to do the same. Once they were settled Hermione let the silence stay for a moment before speaking hesitantly, "I think the Triptych is taking effect."

Ron nodded in agreement but Harry felt a bit behind. "What do you mean? I haven't noticed anything."

"No, she's right," Ron replied, "I noticed it this morning when, well, when you were having your nightmare."

Hermione nodded, "We need to talk about that later, but go on. What did you notice?"

Ron paused for a moment, as if he was afraid of being ridiculed, but then seemed to realize who he was talking to and went on, "Well, you both know how hard it is to wake me up." Harry nodded, recalling the morning at the Dursley's when he smacked his friend upside the head. "This morning neither of you two were making any sound at all, really, except for, well, Hermione, you were whimpering a bit."

Harry felt a pain in his chest as vividly remembered seeing Hermione in a crumpled heap on the floor. Ron waited a moment before continuing.

"But, despite how quiet you were, and how early it was, I woke up, really suddenly, actually. I was having a nice dream, about playing professional Quidditch, when suddenly I just felt this overwhelming sense of pain and anger at the same time. I didn't have time to dwell on it because I spent the next moments waking Harry up, but… it was like I could feel the same things you two were feeling. Horrible, those two nasty feelings jumbled all together. It was like a chaos inside of me." Ron was looking at the floor, replaying the scene in his head. Hermione reached over and rubbed his arm in a comforting gesture. Ron looked up and smiled in gratitude.

"I am sorry, Ron," Harry said, feeling as though it was the only thing he could say.

"It's okay," Ron answered, "It was hardly your fault, mate."

Harry nodded and moved on, feeling Ron's discomfort, "Is that the only time you noticed something like that?"

Ron shook his head, "Just now, back in the room, when we were all having fun, it was as if the happiness I was feeling was magnified somehow. Almost like so much couldn't possibly fit inside of me."

Hermione nodded, "Right, and I could tell what you were thinking just then, back in the room, after Harry lifted the mattress. I think that my mind is more prone to succeed at things such as Legilimency and Occlumency now, and that for a moment I had a bit of a… surge, I suppose. Could you tell?" she asked Ron.

"Yeah," Ron replied, "It was so weird."

"All of this is so weird," Harry pointed out. "I haven't noticed anything different about how I've been, though." He felt slightly left out.

"We've noticed, though," Hermione said, soothing Harry just slightly. "This morning, when you… were choking me, you were extraordinarily strong. It only lasted for a few moments until Ron woke you up, but somehow you managed to bruise me quite badly."

"Oh," Harry pulled his knees up to his stomach, feeling the need to cocoon within himself. The thought of bruising Hermione, let alone badly, made him want to hurl several times.

Hermione frowned sympathetically and moved her cushion closer to him, giving him a hug and then pulling his hand into both of hers. "I know," was all she said, but the magnitude of her understanding him made Harry's heart swell.

Ron waited a moment before speaking, "Then there was also earlier, when you lifted the mattress all on your own."

Harry shrugged, "What's the big deal with that?"

"Nothing, except of course that Hermione and I tried to lift it together and failed miserably yet you accomplished it with a rather small amount of effort in comparison." Ron and Hermione each smiled a little, apparently finding the situation a bit humorous upon reflection.

Harry felt his cheeks redden a bit, "Maybe you two are just weak, that's all." He tried to recall what else had taken place that day that was out of the ordinary, "Hey," he said to Hermione, remembering something, "Earlier in the restaurant, you spoke fluent Italian, but you told me that you only learned a small amount and that it was a few years ago."

"Wow," Hermione responded, clearly impressed with his observation, "You're right."

They all sat in silence for a few moments. "So what does this all mean?" Ron asked, looking to Hermione for the answer.

Hermione shrugged, "I knew that changes would take place, but I didn't read about anything like this when I was researching the Triptych. Perhaps it's simply a temporary imbalance as we adjust to the necklaces."

"And if it's not?" Ron pressed.

Harry answered this time, "Then we deal with it. We know it's not dark magic, right?" Ron and Hermione nodded. "Well then obviously there's a way to control it. I for one cannot wait until we get started training this week."

"Definitely," Hermione agreed, "I wonder who Professor McGonagall is going to have training us."

Ron and Harry nodded. They sat in silence for several moments, all of them thinking. After a time Ron sighed, "Okay, well if we're done here I think I'm going to grab some dinner and head to bed or something. Do we need to get up early to go to Godric's Hollow tomorrow?"

Harry shook his head, "We can probably go in the afternoon."

"Okay," Ron left through the doorway, and Harry stood, going over to sit on his bed. Hermione rose as well, getting rid of the three cushions before walking over and sitting next to him.

"I'm not really hungry," she said quietly.

Harry nodded, "So I suppose you want to talk about what happened this morning."

"Yes," Hermione replied, "I do. But first, I want to tell you something so you don't think otherwise."

Harry waited expectantly and Hermione turned to him, looking him in the eye, "I don't blame you for what happened this morning. I know it was an accident, okay?"

"Okay," Harry said, appeasing her, "Now what do you really want to tell me?"

He knew her too well. Harry watched as Hermione drew back, leaning against the foot of the bed. Her voice shook a little as she spoke, "You really scared me this morning."

Harry watched as her eyes began to redden and wanted to just give her a hug or do something, anything, to keep her from being sad, but he knew that she had to get through this and that there was a reason for putting space between them.

Hermione went on, her lower lip now trembling, "I was just sleeping when you suddenly grabbed me and pushed me up against the wall. It hurt horribly, and I could tell you were asleep. I was about to say something, to wake you up, but then your hands closed around my throat. I didn't know what to do. I was horrified. Not just because it hurt or because I did not know why you were doing it, but because it was you."

A tear fell down her cheek and Harry watched helplessly as she talked on, as if she desperately needed to get this off her chest, which she probably did, "It's the worst feeling ever. I trust you with my life, and this morning, you could have taken it. If Ron had not woken you up, I think you might have." Harry could not handle the thought that he could have killed Hermione. "You were so strong, and I could do nothing. Even though you were asleep, your eyes were open, but it was not you. At least, it was not a form of you that I ever thought existed."

"When Ron got you to wake up, you blinked a few times and then you were back; I could see it, and your arms were around me. I cried against you, because I needed you to be my friend again. I needed you to make that other person, that person who hurt me, disappear."

Hermione, who had been staring at her hands, looked up at Harry, tears now falling freely down her cheeks. "I look at you now, and you are Harry, my best friend, who I know would never hurt me. The thought of you acting the way you did this morning seems impossible. I can see in your eyes how sorry you are, and I feel safe. I know that you thought I was Malfoy, but the thing that troubles me is how unlike you it is. You are not a violent person by nature, Harry. You do not normally act on your anger, or at least not in a violent way. I could see if maybe you thought I was Snape or something but…"

"Stop," Harry could not take anymore. Hearing her talk about what he had done had been bad enough, but to bring up him. He got up off the bed and began pacing through the room. "I can't think about it anymore. Or him. Or that dream. Or what I did to you. I wish I could just take it back. I hate that you had to go through something so unbelievably horrible. You keep talking about it and I look at my hands, and can't believe that I was capable of… and I want to be like Dobby and burn them or something!" Without thinking Harry grabbed a vase off the table and flung it across the room, immediately shattering into a million tiny pieces upon impact.

Hermione gasped, a hand flying to her mouth as she watched him with open eyes. Harry felt something inside of him snap as his knees buckled and he dropped to the floor, putting his face in his hands as he breathed heavily. There was a thumping sound and soon Ron was in the room, observing the scene in front of him before approaching Harry slowly, placing a hand on his shoulder. Harry looked up at him and tried to think of something to say, to explain himself.

"You don't have to," Ron said, saving Harry the trouble, "I know how you feel." The corners of his lips lifted just barely. "Trust me."

Harry fell back into a sitting position, resting his elbows on his knees as his hands raked through his hair. "I'm not… in control anymore."

Ron nodded with understanding, "None of us are. None of us ever were, I don't think."

Harry shook his head, "Something isn't right."

Hermione took out her wand and put back together the broken vase before coming over slowly, "No, Harry's right Ron. I haven't seen him act remotely close to this since fifth year."

"What's wrong with me?" Harry asked Hermione, needing an answer.

Hermione frowned sadly at him, thinking for a moment, "I don't know, Harry. It could be in relation to the Triptych, but Ron and I really haven't had any negative changes yet."

"Well," Ron pondered this for a moment, "Didn't you say that the first few weeks were very stressful? Harry might just be getting the start of it all." He sent Harry an apologetic glance.

"Figures," Harry muttered and Hermione gave him a gentle pat on the shoulder.

"What were you two talking about?" Ron asked.

Hermione was about to say but Harry shook his head, "Let's discuss it tomorrow."

"Okay," Ron replied, clearly knowing that Harry was not in the proper state of mind, for which Harry was eternally grateful.

Hermione waited a moment before speaking carefully, "I don't think we should go back to Godric's Hollow tomorrow. The emotional strain may be too much for you right now."

Harry considered arguing before deciding that she was right and only had his best intentions in mind, "Yeah. That's a good idea."

"I've got another idea," Ron said, "How about we go finish putting Hermione's mattress up? You know, to distract us for a while. I think that maybe we're all thinking a bit too much right now, which is not a great thing, especially for Hermione, right? If this," he motioned to Harry, "Is going to start happening to us to, we don't need to do anything to trigger making it worse."

They went and set up the new mattress, shrinking the old one and giving it to Dobby for his bed, making the small elf very happy. (Harry thought he heard Dobby muttering something like `must give them nice socks' as he walked off.) After putting some sheets and blankets on the bed Ron bid them goodnight and went of to catch some sleep. Harry and Hermione stood in the room awkwardly for a few moments.

"Well, goodnight then." Harry gave Hermione a light hug.

"Right, goodnight Harry." She gave him a quick kiss on the cheek and Harry walked off to his room, changing into his pajamas and getting into bed.

He lay there in the darkness for a long time, his mind blank and sleep very distant. When a knock sounded at the door he practically sighed in relief, thankful for something to distract him from his difficulty in achieving slumber. "Come in," he called.

The door opened and Hermione came in, her face displaying a bit of guilt. She closed the door and stood still for a few moments before speaking, "I don't have any books in my room, so I was wondering if maybe I could keep you company for awhile as I read. Did I wake you?"

"No. You can read if you want," Harry gave the room a little more light and scooted over. Despite everything that had happened, he still wanted her near him. "Can you get me something to read, too?" Hermione nodded and grabbed two books off the shelves, sliding under the covers and handing one to Harry.

Harry looked at the book, reading the back cover. "Is this fiction?" he asked.

Hermione nodded, looking at him quizzically, "Do you not read fictional books?"

"Well, yeah I do, I just didn't think that you did," Harry replied.

Hermione sighed, "Now you know. Just read it, I think you will like it."

Harry shrugged. "Okay." He said the title aloud, "Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe. I can't even pronounce the author's name."

Hermione smiled at him like a teacher smiles at a young student, "Just read it and ask me if you want to know how to pronounce something."

Harry nodded and began reading, frequently taking Hermione up on her offer. After about an hour or so Hermione closed her book and marked it at the halfway point. "I suppose I should go to bed," she said with what Harry thought was a little regret in her voice.

Harry marked his book as well, "Okay, goodnight."

Hermione left and Harry turned out the lights, sighing and knowing that sleep was not going to come soon.

Harry woke up the next morning rather early, finally giving up on falling back asleep despite how tired he was. He came into the kitchen where Dobby was making some fresh coffee.

"Good morning Harry Potter, sir!" Dobby greeted him happily, pouring coffee in to a mug for Harry. He brought the sugar and cream over as well, setting them in front of Harry with a snap of his fingers. "Did Harry Potter sleep well?"

Harry yawned and shook his head, "No, Dobby, I didn't, actually."

Dobby frowned, "Is there something wrong with Harry Potter's room that Dobby can fix?" Harry shook his head.

"What about Harry Potter's Hermione? Why is she not being in the kitchen, too?"

Harry shrugged, "I don't know. Perhaps she is still asleep."

Dobby looked very confused, "Does Harry Potter not know?"

"No, I haven't seen her since last night," Harry replied, taking a sip of his coffee.

Now Dobby was truly confounded, "But didn't Harry Potter sleep with his Hermione?"

Harry nearly spit out his drink. "No, Dobby. Hermione slept in her own bed last night."

Dobby still seemed befuddled but decided to let it go and began cooking some eggs and toast. Just as he was finishing up, Hermione walked in yawning. The Daily Prophet, still unopened, was in her hand. She took her own mug of coffee form Dobby and sat next to Harry.

"How'd you sleep?" Harry asked.

Hermione yawned again, "Okay, I suppose. I'm still adjusting to my new mattress."

"Oh," Harry turned back to the table as Dobby sent over breakfast.

Hermione unfolded her Daily prophet, setting it out on the table as she took a bite of her eggs, immediately spitting them out. "No!" she exclaimed quietly.

Harry leaned over, "What?"

Hermione blushed and moved the paper away so Harry could not see it. "Nothing, just the Daily Prophet writing trash again."

Harry rolled his eyes, "Let me see."

Hermione shook her head, "It's nothing, really."

"You're lying, Hermione. Why wont you let me look at it?" Harry asked.

Hermione bit her lip, "You might get upset, and today I wanted you to relax. I don't want anything provoking you."

Harry sighed, "Just give it to me, Hermione. It's not like they haven't done this before."

Hermione gave in and handed over the paper. Harry opened it again and read the front page article:

HARRY POTTER OR HARRY WHO-CAN'T-KEEP-HIS-PAWS-OFF-HER?

Yesterday, Harry Potter and Hermione Granger were spotted mattress shopping in London. Miss Granger reportedly spent hours searching for the perfect mattress, before finally finding it. When she did, she had Harry Potter, known also as `The Chosen One' for his active role against You-Know-Who, test the mattress as well. When they were going into buy it, the young couple argued over who should pay for it, mentioning in the line of fire that they were living together.

Three years ago this newspaper reported a relationship between Mister Potter and Miss Granger, which was irrevocably denied by both parties. It now seems that they are something of an item, and experiencing what can only be considered `young love at it's peak,' according to our inside source.

So what does this mean for the Wizarding World? Will young Harry be too caught up in his romance with Hermione Granger to care about You-Know-Who, or will the brilliant young woman give him strength, and help him in his ultimate battle? This reporter sits on the edge of her seat in anticipation, but only time will tell.

~Anonymous

Hermione, who finished reading over his shoulder a minute before him, waited patiently for him to read the entire article. When he was done, Harry stared at the paper for a few moments, blinking, before bursting into a fit of laughter.

Hermione stared at him in shock as he continued laughing, tears streaming from his eyes, before eventually laughing as well, if only because he was. After the laughter subsided Harry spoke, still chuckling, "It's rather pathetic, really. There's a war going on and the story of us going mattress shopping is front page news?"

Hermione giggled as well, "Honestly. Well, at least they made a reference to Voldemort a couple times. I suppose that's progress. You notice that the reporter remained anonymous. It must mean that they are scared of you. Of course, you know, time will tell."

Harry snorted, causing Hermione to snicker at his expense. "So, is our newfound romance going to help me or hurt the Wizarding World?"

Hermione made a scene out of gasping and placing a hand over her throat, "Oh, well we would never dream of hurting the Wizarding World! What would they call you then, `The Oops-We-Should-Not-Have-Chosen-Him One?'"

Harry nodded, "Or `The Boy Who Didn't Let Us Live.'"

The banter went on for a bit as they returned to their breakfasts, Hermione scanning the paper for anything else out of the ordinary to which they found none. After awhile they went back up to his room, reading until noon when Ron woke up, then proceeded to enjoy the article all over again as he read it.

After lunch the three lazed about, playing games and eating sweets. Harry enjoyed an afternoon nap as Ron and Hermione played a round of chess, and then humored Ron, playing a round as well. They ate dinner and then separated to their bedrooms. Overall it was a quiet and peaceful day; no one wanted to trigger anything Triptych-related, silently agreeing to have one last day of real happiness before the work would begin.

Harry showered and put his nightclothes on, getting in bed and pulling out his book. He'd read about three pages when Hermione came in, sliding in next to him and reading as well. When she finished her book, she closed it quietly and placed it back on the shelf. She then bid Harry goodnight and gave him a kiss on the cheek before leaving to her room.

At first, Harry did not even try to fall asleep, simply choosing to continue reading. As his eyes began to droop, however, he gave in and turned out the lights, only to be greeted with complete exhaustion and utter sleeplessness. Harry sighed. This was not good.

Light flew in through the room as Hermione pulled back the great curtains that Dobby had hung over Harry's large windows. Harry sat up, rubbing his eyes. "What is it," he asked.

"Professor McGonagall stopped by," Hermione said, walking over to Harry's closet and pulling out some clothes. "She'll be back in twenty minutes with our trainers, so get dressed and eat breakfast quick. Laying his clothes gently on the foot of the bed, Hermione left the room.

Harry did as she told him, coming downstairs five minutes later and eating the food that had been set out for him. He was just cleaning up his dished when Hermione called to him, announcing Professor McGonagall's return.

Harry came upstairs where he was greeted with four wizards and witches, as well as Professor (Headmistress, he reminded himself) McGonagall. He recognized three of them as Tonks, Remus, and Mad-Eye Moody. The fourth was a tall woman, only a few centimeters shorter than Ron and the same height as Harry, with a light complexion and long dark brown hair that fell straight down her back, unlike Hermione's chestnut curls.

Hermione was speaking to them when he entered, "How about we all go to the living room where we can sit down?" she asked politely, leading them despite the fact that most of them knew their way around the house quite fine already. The woman that Harry did not know was looking at the house with interest, nodding with approval and turning to Professor McGonagall. "I thought you said three teenagers lived here. This place is quite clean."

"We have a house elf," Ron said. "He keeps us company and helps out with things like that."

"Of course we pay him, though," Harry added for Hermione, who smiled. "He's free, actually, but has developed a liking for us, and enjoys being here."

The woman raised her eyebrows and grinned in return, extending her hand to Harry, "I am Gretta Runnerstrom. It is nice to meet you." She shook Ron and Hermione's hands as well.

Professor McGonagall motioned the guests to sit, pulling Hermione aside and talking quietly to her. Hermione nodded along as the Headmistress spoke and turned to the adults, speaking politely, "We're going to go discuss something for a moment, but while we're gone Dobby will bring you some refreshments. Dobby?" she called quietly.

The little house elf popped in right away, happily taking people's orders, as the three teenagers and Professor McGonagall headed down to the kitchen.

Hermione entered last, closing the door behind them, "So is that everyone that you picked?"

Nodding slightly, Professor McGonagall replied, "I mentioned something to Professor Flitwick, and he offered to help out here and there with little things. You wouldn't have to tell him anything, of course."

"Does that mean we have to tell all of them about the Triptych?" Ron asked as the four of them sat at the table.

"It would be best, yes. In my opinion they are all trustworthy, but it is ultimately up to you."

"How do you know Gretta Runnerstrom?" Hermione asked.

The professor smiled with pride, "Gretta was one of my best students over thirty years ago, and one of my closest friends today. She exceeds at nearly everything she does and is gifted in Legilimency and Occlumency as well as the art of Seeing. On top of that she has studied the Triptych nearly as much as I have."

"I thought that you believed Divination was foolish," Harry challenged her.

She nodded, "I do, Mr. Potter, but I know a true Seer when I see one, pardon the pun."

"So you reckon we can trust her?" Ron asked.

"I would bet my life on it, Mr. Weasley," Professor McGonagall replied.

Hermione stood up. "We should get back up there, then. We have a lot to explain."

The talk lasted for nearly two hours. Moody questioned practically everything, demanding to look at the necklaces despite the fact that they were being worn. Tonks was in a continual state of surprise and shock. The other two, being Remus, and Gretta Runnerstrom, sat quietly, occasionally checking a few facts and appearing very interested. Together everyone worked out a loose schedule, keeping the weekends mostly free to give the trio time to rest and do anything else that might be necessary for their "project," as Tonks decided to label it. Harry thought that the title made it seem childish, but agreed that it was accurate and general, which was definitely good.

They all bid each other good-bye, and everyone left, save Tonks who approached the three of them, grinning like a mad woman, "So, my young adults, are you ready for your first lesson?"

~*~

Author's Note: There are no words to express how sorry I am for the delay with this chapter. In a nutshell: computers suck. Period. I will not waste your time with a long-winded explanation. You are all awesome, and if I could, I would give you a chapter a day. Chapter 9 is already in the works and should be up much sooner. I also want to thank LadyStarlight for getting this back to me quickly despite her own busy schedule. Please review!!!

-->