"Don't you think the teachers have gone a bit extreme on the homework front?"
"No. It's for our benefit. And anyway, the work load keeps the students' minds off the attacks and the fact that they could be killed at any moment."
Harry chuckled seeing her frustrated expression for his lack of love towards homework. They were holed up in the small cubicle, the glutinous potion frothing in the cauldron. The potion had become the only thing to hold on to in the past fortnight. Their classes were becoming more wearisome; teachers were over sensitive with the events of the past two months.
Lockhart was more unbearable than ever, his constant self-flattery and false modesty making Defence Against the Dark Arts excruciating. Harry had the sensation he was locked in a torture chamber when he had to listen to Lockhart's overly creative stories, while hearing the girls in the class sigh extravagantly and watch Hermione's mesmerized face.
A loud knock resounded around the space deficient cubicle. "Come in," Harry and Hermione chorused, recognising his hesitant hammering. "Not so loud next time," Harry warned as Ron squeezed in and sat with his back to the door. With an apologetic wince he asked how the potion was.
"It's fine," answered Hermione. "We just need the fluxweed. It has to be picked two weeks before the potion can be taken. We'll do it three days before Christmas, which gives us a week before we have to get it."
"Where can we get the fluxweed?" asked Ron nervously, removing his homework from his bag and placing it on his knee.
"It grows near stream banks. So I don't really know," she finished lamely.
"There's a stream that runs through the Forbidden Forest," Harry said remembering the gurgling sound he had heard almost a year ago. "There's a lot of undergrowth in that forest, I'm pretty sure you'd find almost any plant growing there."
"The Forbidden Forest?" whispered Ron anxiously, looking up from his blank parchment.
"This time I'm going with you," Hermione asserted firmly. Harry nodded. He wasn't too apprehensive about returning to the forest. The stream wasn't too far from the border, they wouldn't be too long.
"So when are we going?" Ron enquired trying to keep his voice even. Sensing his terror Harry intervened. "You don't have to go, Ron. This won't be a great adventure. Just a friendly walk into a prohibited area of the school grounds."
"No…I want to go. It good to…er…step outside your comfort zone, every now and again," he replied with a determined nod. "What happened to your hands, Harry?" he added.
Harry glanced at his lean hands which were covered with small nicks and other thin wounds. He had recently been training with swords which had consequently left him wincing at any sign of contact. Mr. Davis had also suffered some injuries, often cursing Harry's ability to quickly become accustomed to new training equipment.
"Nothing," Harry responded feigning deep interest in his Potions essay. Hermione interrupted Ron's probing. "Have you heard anything from Rabastan?"
"Well he wrote and told me had to leave Hogsmeade soon. Probably some time in the next month. He wants to investigate something, I don't know what though. I think his meeting with me has sparked something in him. Hopefully it's a good thing," Harry said.
"Do you trust him completely? I mean there is a lot of evidence pointing him out to be a Death Eater, well…more written evidence. His word is his proof. Can you trust that?" Hermione fidgeted with the scroll in her hands, her finished and refined essay.
Harry took a moment to answer, trying to ensure he expressed himself clearly. "I've seen a lot of lies, Hermione. Watched as people faked illnesses or …came up with excuses for ignoring their homework. Rabastan didn't look to be lying. He seemed like a haunted man, I don't think anyone can create fake memories like he would've had to. I trust what I saw, and if I can't trust my own eyes, myself, well then…I don't know how I would survive."
Hermione nodded in agreement and returned the scroll to her schoolbag which was slumped against her. Harry could still see her doubt but knew whatever he said wouldn't alter her decision.
"I trust him," Ron affirmed. "Yeah I feel sorry for him. I mean I have five incredibly annoying brothers but at least they're not totally evil. But still, even if your siblings drive you crazy, you still feel something towards them that isn't rage."
"What time is it?" asked Harry pulling up the sleeves of his shirt. The sweltering fumes from the cauldron made the air stifling and stuffy. At the moment, the cubicle was most likely the warmest place in the castle. Harry cursed himself for leaving his watch under his pillow after he had finished a shower.
"Nine," Ron replied. "We should go. I mean I'm nearly done and technically we're out past curfew."
They crammed their books into their bags and filed out of the girls' bathroom. Sneaking through the corridors they arrived in Gryffindor Tower a few minutes later. Students crowded the study tables, immersed in books, absorbed in chess matches or simply relaxing in the semicircular throng grouped around the fireplace.
"Oh, I forgot my Herbology essay in the library!" moaned Hermione, balling her fists in agitation. "I better run back and grab it."
"Okay, we'll get a table," said Harry. "Mind yourself. And make sure…" but Hermione had already climbed out of the portrait hole.
"Chess?" Ron offered pulling out a chair for himself.
"Yeah, why not? So you're nearly finished your essay?" Harry asked sceptically.
"Well, by finished I mean…started and, will…er…hopefully complete it within the current year," Ron put together awkwardly, his ears going red. He sighed. "I really stink at Potions. And Snape. Aaarh, the man just drives me nuts, he has such a boring tone. Who needs a Draught of Living Death when you have a voice like his?" he ranted.
Harry forced a laugh. He couldn't deny his hatred for Professor Snape. Everybody suspected Harry would finally be the one to kill him considering , one, they believed him to be Slytherins Heir, and two, Snape's behaviour towards Harry was classified between minor bullying and permanent torment. Harry's previous opinion that Snape was fully fledged schizophrenic was now to be re-examined.
Ron began the game aggressively, unleashing his queen on Harry's fearful pawns. Harry noticed Ron was close to putting him in check, and tried some sharp evasive tactics. He yawned putting his elbow on the table and leaning his cheek against the palm of his hand.
Harry observed dismally as Ron broke through his evasive formation and continued to rip through the back line. Without much thought he moved his pieces causing Ron to take them one by one. He watched Ron lean across, his hand pausing over his well-positioned bishop.
Suddenly Harry's vision flickered and instead of seeing Ron's hand he saw a dark corridor. He shook his head, perplexed, receiving a concerned look from Ron. "You alright?"
"Er…yeah," he responded, removing his glasses and rubbing his eyes with the heel of his hand. For a moment he thought it was gone until the dark corridor flashed in front of his eyes again. He thought he could hear the clipping of footsteps and the dull thud of something falling and the tingling of smashing class. Then the corridor was gone and he was sitting precariously on the edge of his chair, gripping the corner of the table. "Harry, are you okay?"
"Yeah…yeah I'm fine," he swallowed nervously. He felt as if his mind had gone numb. A stirring sensation started in his stomach, as he wondered what on earth had happened. He could still see the dark corridor in his mind, he was entirely sure it was a Hogwarts corridor.
"There's been another attack!" Lee Jordan roared over the muttering of the assembled students. Professor McGonagall who had obviously accompanied Lee Jordan back to the Tower, rolled her eyes at his bluntness. She looked pale and her lips were dangerously thin suggesting her emotions. She was wringing her hands in agitation and when the buzzing of the gathering had subsided, she confirmed Lee's statement.
"HEY! Where are you going?!" Ron shouted seeing Harry launch from his chair and shoot through the crowd. Pushing and shoving through the students he jumped out of the portrait hole. His running footsteps reverberated around the corridors, his heart was beating hard and fast in his chest. Panic flooded his brain, making his vision swim and his stomach churn. He ran to the library door, not bothering to slow down and consequently flying straight into it. After shaking the doorknob fretfully, he kicked it in frustration but nothing budged.
Where could she be? She had definitely been here if she had forgotten her essay.
Suddenly a loud crash overhead invaded his thoughts. Barrelling down the corridor and hurtling up the staircase, he entered another dimly lit corridor, the flaming torches illuminating a dark figure lying face down on the floor. Harry's breath hitched as he drew closer. He took the last few steps hastily and let out a sigh when he distinguished it wasn't a girl but a boy.
A small trophy cabinet had collided with the floor, glass lay shattered across the floor and under the body. Dropping to his knees, Harry placed a hand on the body's shoulder and carefully rolled it onto it's back. His heart dropped when he recognised the face. Strands of brown hair lay over the face of the person who had attacked him weeks earlier. He removed his shaking hand from the body, he had obviously been Petrified as Colin had been.
Confusion etched Harry's face. He couldn't understand what was happening. Why had this boy attacked him and why had he in turn been attacked? He pulled back off his knees and sat amidst the shattered glass, shielding his sight with his hand as he tried to piece together the events.
There was a flurry of footsteps and Professor Dumbledore, McGonagall, Snape, Flitwick and Mr. Davies hurried around the corner. Dumbledore didn't hesitate, immediately checking the still figure for signs of life. The others paused, eyeing Harry suspiciously.
"Where's Hermione?" Harry demanded of Davis as he got to his feet. "She went to the library to get an essay. It's locked."
"I was just leaving when she caught me. I gave her the keys to lock up…what happened here, Harry?" he asked indicating the prostrate body.
"What do you mean `what happened'?" asked Harry outraged. He was tired of people's accusations. "I told you…I was looking for Hermione, I thought she had been attacked. I just found him like this."
"We must look at all the possibilities, Harry," Mr. Davis stated defensively. "How did you know about
the attacks?"
"Professor McGonagall…she announced it," Harry replied.
"Excuse me, Mr. Potter. I have done no such thing. I was only notified of the attack moments ago," McGonagall said stiffly.
"But…I saw you," Harry stammered. "You were with Lee…you told everybody about the…" There was a loud intake of breath causing Harry to pivot around. Lee Jordan had just joined them, his eyes wide and his mouth gaping. Harry was stunned into silence. Why were they here if they had already seen the body? Or had they? Was this the first time?
Harry shook his head defiantly, ignoring what all the signs pointed to. Professor McGonagall stepped forward with a wary glance in Harry's direction. "Perhaps I will now escort Mr. Jordan back to Gryffindor Tower. Mr. Potter, you will also follow, I think it best you get some sleep."
Harry rounded on Mr. Davis. "Where's Hermione? She would obviously have looked for you after using the keys."
"I'll check the staff room in a moment, Harry. Right now I think we must focus on Roger." He nodded at the boy and Harry realised who it was. Roger Davis, a third year Ravenclaw, very familiar with most Hogwarts girls.
"It was Roger. Who attacked me that night a few weeks ago," he affirmed pensively.
"Minerva, I'll accompany Harry back to Gryffindor later. You better go now and inform them of tonight's event," advised Davis.
When McGonagall and Lee had left, Dumbledore straightened up. "Are you absolutely certain?
"Yeah…he doesn't look as evil though, his face was all contorted with fury… but I'm sure it is him," Harry added sadly. Snape strode forward, a menacing gleam in his eye. "What were you doing outside after hours, Potter?" he spat.
Harry glared at him, the muscles in his right fist tensing. "I've already told you. Don't make me repeat. I'm not a bloody tape recorder."
"I find it hard to believe your…story," Snape snarled reproachfully. "Foretelling matters was never a strong point of yours."
"Look," Harry said, ignoring Snape and turning to Davis. "We have to find Hermione? She could be in danger if she's wandering around looking for you."
"Don't you dare ignore me!" Snape hissed, incensed by Harry's behaviour. He snatched Harry's shoulder but Harry immediately reacted, shoving him away.
"Stop it this instant!" Dumbledore interrupted loudly. Harry took a step backwards under Dumbledore's intense stare. "A student has been seriously assaulted," started Dumbledore. "This situation is becoming grave indeed. We do not need to fight amongst ourselves if we have a mutual enemy to direct our efforts towards."
Professor Flitwick and Dumbledore levitated Roger's body to the Hospital Wing leaving a cold silence between Harry, Snape and Davies. Just as he was about to leave in a huff, Professor Sinistra appeared from behind the corner. She was holding a bunch of clinking keys. After Davis had asked where Hermione was, she told him she had returned to Gryffindor Tower.
"I told her of the attack. She seemed quite distressed, I wish I hadn't been the bringer of bad news," she said frowning. Davis moved closer to her and enveloped her hand in his. Snape, who was brooding in the corner, huffed and gave the couple a sickened look of disdain.
"You better have that essay finished, Potter," he spat, striding off in a temper.
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"I have not come across any references of those who were mentioned in prophecies having the ability to predict the future," Davis panted, leaning against a stack of books. He regained his tall posture and the clinking of swords ensued. Harry had wonderful balance, fantastic reflexes and was excellent on his feet, his movement at times flawless. Of all the weapon training he had been subjected to, he had took to sword fighting like a duck to water, at times stunning Davis.
"Then what happened?" Harry said, side-stepping Davis.
"Well…I have no idea. It could be just a one off, but I sincerely doubt that," Davis responded, turning to get a better aim at Harry's torso, which was covered with padding. In return, Harry parried his attack, and spun around Davis, directing the sword just behind Davis' neck.
"One off? I don't know what's real anymore. I expect everything to just fade away in front of me. I mean how am I supposed to trust my eyes if they're playing tricks on me."
Davis frowned stepping away from Harry's rigid blade. He lowered his own and turned sympathetically to Harry. "I don't know what to say. As I have already told you, I have never come across a situation like this before. If a situation arises like this again, double-check what you see. Hermione is usually by your side. If you cannot trust your own eyes, trust hers."
Harry nodded in understanding. He sheathed his blade and returned it to Davis' office.
Two hours later after a difficult morning of classes, Harry strolled into the Great Hall drained completely. He sighed, relishing the feeling of sitting down. As he started on his soup, ladle in hand, he paused frowning at the fact that every student surrounding him seemed to be engrossed in a copy of the Daily Prophet.
"Er…Hermione, what's going on?" he asked.
Ron who was seated beside him, leaned over and grabbed a paper from Neville Longbottom. Harry watched tensely as his eyes grew wider with surprise before handing Harry the paper uneasily.
More details have come to light about the critical raid that occurred nearly three weeks ago on the edge of the renowned village of Hogsmeade. While some wizards are still in custody for questioning, a group furtively escaped. The raid which the Magical Law Enforcement has strongly deemed a success also shut down one of the largest illegal imports refuges in the country. The Daily Prophet can now report that new information given by the arrested smugglers points to an ally of the Magical Law Enforcement being in the building at the time of the raid. While the Magical Law Enforcement Department ardently deny any collaboration with the unknown assistant, it is suspected that without his/her help; the raid would have been a failure.
"It's you Harry," whispered Hermione in amazement. "You said there wasn't anybody else in the vicinity apart from the Law Enforcement officers and crooks. You helped shut them down," she finished, a hint of pride in her voice.
Harry didn't know what to think. He was pleased somewhat to have aided in capturing criminals, proud to have helped defeat some evil, but wasn't too sure about the means. He hadn't really meant to. He was acting under slightly selfish means considering that he had only been trying to escape himself.
"Have you heard?" said Seamus hurdling into a seat. Dean Thomas and a few girls who had accompanied them into the Hall also took a seat. Harry spotted Ginny and thought she seemed more withdrawn than usual. Her head was bowed, her hair hiding her face. She was completely devoid of make up, something which eased Harry's distaste towards her, ever since her foolish actions on Halloween. Her pale, drawn complexion made her look as if she had gone a few nights without sleep. She failed to speak when she sat down.
"About what Seamus," Harry asked, still eyeing Ginny. Hermione, noticing Harry's view, gave a huff of frustration, sniffed importantly and turned to Seamus who was grabbing every sort of food and depositing it on his plate.
"Seamus," Hermione encouraged when he didn't look up from his food. "Oh yeah sorry, they're setting up a Duelling Club."
"What?!" Harry said loudly. "Who is?! When?"
"I said they're starting a Duelling Club. I don't know who is doing it and it's on tomorrow evening," Seamus finished, cramming his mouth with food.
"Should be good," Hermione said brightly, ignoring Harry. As a conversation followed about what they would learn, Harry turned to Ron who sat on his right. "Where's Lavender?"
"Oh…er…I don't know. We sort of broke up," he replied, embarrassed.
"Why?"
"We just decided to see other people. Well…eh…I decided, before we broke up…Lav didn't really like the idea," he added awkwardly.
Harry rolled his eyes exasperatedly.
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Thanks for reading. I really hoped you liked it. This is sort of a bridging chapter so it wasn't terribly exciting. Next chapter will be fantastic! I'm not gloating or anything ;)
Take care,
Radagast
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