Chapter Twenty Two
"This is bad, really bad," said a pale faced Ron.
Harry had returned to find both Ron and Hermione waiting in the common room. Ron at first was in a slumber on the couch while Hermione was staring desperately into the crackling fire. She started when Harry climbed through the portrait hole and moaned when she saw the cut on Harry's scalp. After waking up Ron she ran off to fetch a bowl of water and a cloth. So now Harry was sitting on the couch with a wet cloth pressed to his forehead while Hermione sat beside him, a slight look of terror on her face.
Harry had told them everything he could remember of the events that had unfolded in the forest. Ron was shaking still from the mere mention of Voldemort's name. He was now pacing the small area between the two armchairs, his head bowed and his mouth open in a consistent rabble.
"I mean, here we are thinking Snape wants the Stone for himself, for the money or the thought of never-ending life. But no. It's You-Know-Who. You-Know-Who! What are we going to do? We have no chance trying to stop him," he said, panicking and throwing his arms in the air for dramatics.
Harry thought. What were they going to do? Was it pointless even trying to stop Voldemort? He was a murderer and he had followers also capable of killing. Harry immediately thought of his parents. They died defending their own family and their own home but they were also defending something else. Something which still existed today.
Harry stood up, his hand falling to his side, the wet cloth now dripping onto the floor. Hermione and Ron were looking at him strangely. "Firenze still thinks there's a chance. The other centaurs must have seen Voldemort's return" at this both Ron and Hermione flinched "and therefore accepted that there is no other way. He can't return. The world is in enough turmoil without him," said Harry his eyes moving from Hermione to Ron.
Ron just looked at him incredulously. "Harry, my dad, he's told me what it was like when He was trying to take control. People died just for being muggles or muggle-born. He tortured people and murdered families. What can we do against Him?" A long pause followed this question which at the moment sounded like more of a statement. Then Harry spoke and his voice seemed different, filled with more honesty than any other words ever spoken on earth.
"My parents died defending what was good in this world and if I have to do the same, I will," Harry said, his keen green eyes boring into Ron's bright blue ones. As he had said this Harry seemed to become very still yet looked almost incensed at Ron. After a moment though, he visibly calmed down, his shoulders relaxing and he hung his head slightly.
Hermione, who hadn't spoken at all since Harry told them what had happened, seemed to find her voice as she watched Harry. "Hopefully it won't come to that. I mean, the Stone is still protected by the teachers. And I doubt Snape knows how to get past Fluffy. And I don't think Hagrid would tell anybody how to pass Fluffy."
Ron slouched over to the armchair and fell into it. He looked tired from all of his pacing. "What about You-Know-Who?"
Hermione thought for a moment before answering "Well he wouldn't do anything at the moment if he doesn't have a body. Also you're forgetting that everyone says the only one You-Know-Who was ever afraid of was Dumbledore. With Dumbledore around, You-Know-Who won't act and Snape will have a hard time trying to get through Dumbledore as well."
"Why can't we just tell Dumbledore that we suspect Snape of trying to steal the Stone for You-Know-Who," started Ron but his voice faltered in the end when he realized how ridiculous it would sound when they told it to the Headmaster of Hogwarts.
"There's no proof. Not to mention that if he suspects us of knowing, it might spark a reaction. We can't risk that. We aren't in a position to take risks. Hermione's right, Dumbledore's presence slows down the process of stealing the Stone immensely. But by no means does it stop it," said Harry.
He looked at Ron and Hermione who both had downcast faces. "I don't know what's going to happen. And I can't tell you that everything will be okay because I don't know if it will be…..but there's still hope. Firenze saw that. He was willing to go against the laws of his kind because he believed there was hope. And as long as there is hope then I know that I'll fight for it."
Hermione smiled at him. "Me too," she said sincerely.
Ron stood up, there was still a slightly discouraged look in his eyes but he spoke earnestly. "I'm in too. You're right. We can't just let him get the Stone `cause we're afraid." He held out his hand and Harry shook it.
They sat talking for hours. Harry's cut had stopped bleeding. It was actually smaller than he had first believed it to be. It had healed much in the past few hours. By the time Ron decided to go to bed a pale light could be seen far away, morning was approaching. Harry's mind was still reeling but his body was exhausted and he didn't know which one to listen to. He was standing now, his hands buried in his pockets, looking deeply into the dying embers of the fire.
A hand on his shoulder started him. "Hermione…you should go on up and get some sleep while you can," he advised. She rolled her eyes at him. "You're tired Harry. You should at least lie down. Also the cut might not be that deep but you still did have a nasty knock. You should rest,' she said concerned. He sighed and let her push him over to the couch. "You should continue to bathe the cut,' Hermione warned.
"No, I'm alright. You go on up and sleep," he said groggily. His head was thrown back and his eyes were closed. Hermione thought he looked peaceful but knew that he was actually very troubled. Looking at his hands, resting in his lap, she knew he wasn't going to do anything about the cut on his scalp. It was now harder to see as it was covered by his overhanging fringe. Sighing she strode over and sat beside him on the couch. "You can be so stubborn. Did you know that?" she said frustrated. She dipped the cloth into the water and then placed it over the small incision. He leaned forward but she pushed him back. "You can get some rest, I'll hold this here. If I go now you won't do this," she said irritably.
Harry leaned his head back again on the back of the couch. "Thanks,' he said. There was silence for a few minutes where they listened to the remaining logs in the fire break apart. "Harry," Hermione said thoughtfully. "Hmm?" he said drowsily. "When you were dueling…in the forest…where did you learn all those spells. They're pretty advanced." She asked this quite hesitantly not wanting him to become defensive as he usually did. Harry opened his eyes and slowly removed her hand from his head. Standing up he made his way over to the mantelpiece and leaned against it, gazing into the fading orange, crimson layer mingled with ash and coal. He seemed to be in deep thought. Hermione could see the shadows under his eyes and guessed this wasn't the first night he had spent awake.
"Research," he said simply and quietly. Hermione frowned. "But we've both been doing research. I haven't been learning the defense spells we've come across. Why did you?"
Harry turned and looked deeply into her eyes. There was sadness in his eyes she hadn't seen before. "It wasn't an accident. Nor was it a coincidence. I survived an Avada Kedavra curse. A killing curse,' he emphasized the word as if it gave him great pain to say it. "I don't know about fate or whether it even exists. But sometimes things happen that make you wonder if it does. And you wonder if our lives are completely controlled by an invisible force we can never lay eyes on or even dream to imagine of." He paused. She wondered whether she should attempt to speak but realized she couldn't because she didn't know what to say.
"I don't know whether to believe in fate or not. But…I have to believe there was a reason I survived. Because whatever that reason is…it's probably why my parents were killed. Why I'm here now. I can't help thinking that night was the beginning of a circle, one which will eventually come back around. And I'm going to have to be ready when it does." He had sat down on the couch and then slumped to the floor. His eyes returned to the fire.
Hermione cleared her throat. "So…you think He will come back. That You-Know-Who will return. And that's why you've been learning extra defensive magic. To protect what he wants."
"Well he's not going to stop trying until he does find a way. He won't be too pleased to see me if he does return either. There's just something that doesn't fit. Actually…. a lot of things that don't seem to fit. Why didn't I die when he performed the Killing Curse or why didn't he die if it rebounded?" He sighed and ran his hand through his hair. Then groaned as he grazed his cut with his hand. "Anyway, I've been looking up books devoted to defensive magic and also dueling. It's been a great asset since the Troll and the journey into the forest."
"Well, it has been a busy year, hasn't it," Hermione said amusingly. Harry chuckled at her ability to make light of such a dire situation. "Well Mr. Potter. Would you be interested in a dueling partner?" she asked lightly. Harry thought for a moment. A small smirk appeared on his face. "Hmm, I don't know. I really don't like to beat girls." Hermione slapped him playfully on the shoulder. "Hey, I'd be a match for you any day, Potter," she declared. They both laughed for a while, Harry had his legs stretched out in front of him so that he looked like a rag doll or a disused puppet. Hermione removed the bowl of water from the couch and then stretched out on it. They were now both staring at the fire.
Harry was thinking of everything that had happened to him from the moment he had attacked Snape in the Dursley's hallway. He had faced danger more than once. He had been isolated from society but to be honest he had gone through most of his life like that. But he had also met people that had changed his life. He had been plain terrified at the beginning of the school year to even have a conversation with someone. But then he had met Hermione. She was one of those people who he was sure had changed his life for the better. He turned his head around and stared at her. Her eyes were closed lightly but he knew she wasn't asleep. Her arm was tucked under her head and a strand of hair was falling slightly across her face. "What are you staring at? Or are you just in deep thought again," she asked sleepily, her eyes remaining closed.
"Just thinking about fate," he said, laughing lightly at her drowsy expression.
Nothing unusual had happened since the forest and Harry remained on constant alert. Their exams were approaching, something which was terrifying Hermione. Harry was left with the question of whether Hermione was more horrified by the thought of failing an exam more than she was of Voldemort. The other students had also started taking out text books and going over them in the evenings which were now accepting the sunny glow of approaching summer. As May began the crisp winds seemed to blow themselves out so that the air was warm with the hint of summer and the number of students spending their time outside was ever increasing.
Harry was starting to do more about learning to duel. Hermione accompanied him and made the whole ordeal easier. He could practice spells and also their effects more closely. They would first perform the spell and at the end of each session they would have a brief duel. Hermione seemed to struggle slightly with some of the spells or incantations. She would become very frustrated, something which Harry tried to avoid. They also focused on movement in a duel as it was essential that one wouldn't take a hit and also that they open up a chance to target their opponent.
From asking older students, their Defense Against the Dark Arts lesson wouldn't start teaching them about curses and spells until roughly about fourth year. They would mainly be learning about magical creatures that were hostile and potentially dangerous. Through dueling together they were both benefiting but they had to be extra careful so as to not really harm the other person. Harry was reluctant to stun or impede Hermione, terrified he might give her a bloody nose or worse, knock her out.
Nearly a month had passed since Harry's journey into the forest. Because he was so distracted, time seemed to double. Exams started and Harry found that they were much easier than they were made out to be. They had a small written examination and in some subjects such as Charms and Potions they would have a practical. Because of the exams, Harry and Hermione finished dueling as they did it twice a week and now they had to put time into studying. They had only learned three spells; well Harry had taught Hermione the Stunning spell and Impediment Jinx. The Disarming Spell they had started together. These spells focused on aiming so when Harry took Hermione to the Room of Requirement there were two shooting ranges with targets to aim for.
The lack of movement surrounding the Philosophers Stone was really puzzling Harry. He had been told to keep a look out, expecting something to happen but still nothing had. Dumbledore remained at the castle, showing his face most nights at dinner. Harry had thought that Dumbledore would be lured from the castle if Snape was to attempt to steal the Stone.
Their exams ended much to the students' pleasure. Ron had been driving Harry and Hermione crazy asking for help. He used to sit at a table most of the night, surrounded by small paperback books, a feather quill lying unused in his hand and a look of complete look of distress on his face. His flabbergasted expression earned some help from some other students who had already prepared.
The day the exams ended was a truly magnificent day. The sun shone high in a cloudless sky so that when looked at it was like a canvas of baby blue. Waves of heat radiated from the burning sun sending students outside into the fresh grounds. The lake, on whose face the sun sparkled, was surrounded by students with shirts hanging open, their jumpers discarded. The eager shouts and screams of happiness could be heard from within the castle. Ron who had joined Harry and Hermione inside the castle asked them to go outside as some Gryffindors were going for a swim in the lake.
Harry was reluctant at first to leave the castle. He didn't love the sun, he felt as if it got in his way. It was probably from spending so much time locked in a dark cupboard. But Hermione seemed eager to get out of the castle so he gave in at the look of happiness on her face. When they reached the grounds, Harry adjusted his glasses on the bridge of his nose, as if he hoped to block out the sun. Hermione had discarded of her jumper and Ron was only wearing a t-shirt. He seemed to be thoroughly enjoying having no exams or worries. It looked as if he hadn't worried over the threat of Voldemort since there wasn't any sign of anything happening. Maybe it was seeing the dead lifeless body of the unicorn that kept everything so real in Harry's mind.
He kept his jumper on and his shirt was still neat, unlike most of the students. At the edge of the lake they found a small unoccupied space where they sat down. Most students were running around like maniacs just let out of a psychiatric hospital. Hermione just lay down and seemed to be sunbathing. She had her arm draped over her face to block out the sun shining through her closed eyelids. Harry was staring out across the lake. The Weasley twins had erected a high diving board on the side of the lake and were now charging people to use it. They both wore satisfied smiles as counted up their takings.
Harry felt a hand grab his wrist. "Come on, Harry. Relax, even just a bit," encouraged Hermione. Harry sighed and lay down on his back, his hands folded behind his head. `So what's the point of this then?' he asked sarcastically. "To relax. Let the sun rush away your problems and bathe in peaceful joy,' Hermione said contentedly. Harry only lasted about half a second before he choked out laughing. "Bathe in peaceful joy…ha ha," he managed through his laughing. Hermione wasn't amused. She looked at him dangerously but then sported an evil grin which made Harry stop laughing instantly.
Before Harry knew it Hermione was on top of him, tickling mercilessly. Harry had never, in his life, been this close to anybody. And he then knew that at that moment there was nobody he would rather have been closer to. He then used all his strength to push Hermione off him. He rolled over so there positions were reversed and he started tickling Hermione with as much compassion as she showed him. She was wriggling and yelling hysterically, tears formed in her eyes from laughing so much.
And then it stopped and they were both still. The sounds around them had seemingly vanished. All thoughts of the previous days disappeared and what remained in the future didn't matter anymore. Harry, who was still positioned over her, was looking deeply into her eyes as if trying to read her thoughts. They remained still, neither of them waiting for anything, until a voice broke over them "Mr. and Mr. Weasley. What on earth do you think you're doing?!" said Professor McGonagall shouted astounded. As McGonagall walked over to them for an explanation, Harry rolled over onto the ground. There was just silence now between him and Hermione. But then Harry saw something and his heart stopped. "Hermione, do you thing the lights are on in Hagrid's?" he asked cautiously. She turned and lifted her head. "No. Why?" she asked, confused.
Harry stood up quickly and ran flat out across the grounds. Hermione and Ron, who had seen them leave, followed him. Harry skidded to a halt at the door of Hagrid's hut. "What's going on?" said Ron perplexed. Harry started banging on Hagrid's door shouting his name. After a minute of this Harry started throwing himself at the solid wooden door, in order to attempt to break it down. Hermione was about to advise another course of action when the door burst open and Harry fell through it and went flying into Hagrid's table and chairs. "How did you manage to break down that door," Harry heard Ron say astonished. Harry quickly picked himself up and then saw Hagrid lying on the floor by his bed, unconscious. Hermione ran over to Hagrid and looked him over. "He's fine. Just unconscious. What do you think happened?"
Harry was already looking through Hagrid's things feverishly. The place was a mess. Hanging baskets of eggs had fallen and smashed to the floor. His table was overturned and his kettle was lying desolate on the wooden floor. One of his chairs was broken into pieces. "There was definitely a struggle," stated Ron. It was then that Harry found a glass phial that was used to hold potions. There was a transparent substance in the end of it. Harry didn't recognize it. Nearly jumping across the room he held it in front of Hermione who had to grab his hand to stop him shaking. "What is it?" he asked anxiously. Hermione stared at the liquid for a moment before she started. "It could be Veritaserum. A Truth potion," she explained.
Harry looked at the phial and he felt his insides freeze. "He knows. How to get past Fluffy. He knows."
There was silence for a moment. "I bet you anything that Dumbledore has been called away," finished Harry.
"Well we have to alert someone. If we go now we'll catch McGonagall," said Hermione.
"What about Hagrid?" said Ron who was now whiter than a fictional ghost.
"He'll be fine once he wakes up and he will wake up. It was probably a knock on the head,' said Hermione. "That was one hard knock," admonished Ron looking at Hagrid's giant form.
"We have to go NOW! By the time McGonagall comes and wakes up Hagrid and then gets Dumbledore, who I'm sure is gone by now, the Stone will be gone. You said you were in. Are you?" Harry said.
"Alright," said Ron, trying to calm himself down. "Let's go," said Hermione. "We'll leave the door open so someone might find Hagrid,' said Harry. He turned and looked at Hagrid. "Sorry Hagrid. We've got to go."
With that they quickly hurried back up to the castle. Harry could almost feel Dumbledore's absence. "WAIT" they heard someone shout from behind them. Harry spun around removing his wand from his pocket. Neville Longbottom was standing with his own wand pointing at Harry. His hand was shaking and he looked to be out of breath. "Did you do that to Hagrid? I followed you and I found him. Did you do it?" he asked nervously. Harry couldn't believe what he was hearing. "Of course we didn't. Listen Neville, you have to go and get McGonagall. Tell her about Hagrid," said Harry quickly. "Where are you's going then? You're not going to lose more points for Gryffindor, are you? He stammered.
"Neville, listen. This is way above Gryffindor or Hogwarts or exams. They don't matter anymore. What does matter is, you have to warn McGonagall. Tell her, tell her," Harry paused, wondering what to say. He couldn't tell Neville about the Philosophers Stone. "Tell her that the protection is broken. Hagrid will know what we're talking about."
Neville once again hesitated. But then he lowered his wand to his side. `Okay, I'll go now," he said.
They watched him run off and then they made their own way to the third floor corridor. They stopped outside just for a moment. "Are you guys sure you want to come?" he whispered. They both nodded their heads and Harry silently walked through the door.
The first thing he noticed was that Fluffy was fast asleep. Sweet tingling music sounded from the corner of the room and Harry saw a beautifully ornate harp seemingly playing itself. Obviously music was the key to pass Fluffy. Harry signaled for them to move quietly closer to the trapdoor. Bending low over the trapdoor, Harry opened it using the iron rings attached to it. He was looking into a deep black seemingly endless hole. "Who's first?" he mouthed. Hermione moved forward and was about to climb into the open space when Harry grabbed her hand. She looked at him momentarily and then squeezed his hand before jumping into the darkness. Ron followed her. Harry took one last look at the corridor before taking a deep breath and plunging into the unknown abyss.
Hope you like it. Thanks for reading. Review if you want.
Is there anything you really want to see in the next chapter? Remember, I like hearing your suggestions. As long as you don't suggest to me to stop writing. lol
Take care,
Radagast.
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