The Stranded Hole: Part Three
`…and don't stare into any of their eyes, ok?' Harry said all this very quickly as they strode down the stone floors of their friends' hideout.
`Why would I stare into their eyes?' Hermione asked shaking her head at Harry's strangeness.
`No real reason' Harry said smirking slightly `it just seemed that you and Ron…'
`Are just friends' Hermione interrupted quickly making Harry laugh.
Hermione walked down the endless corridors, listening to the echo of footsteps that belonged to her and Harry. With its rich reds and large stone paved floor the place reminded her of the many medieval castles, and in particular a rather unhappy encounter with William the Conqueror who was still very upset with Harry over their first meeting.
`Why shouldn't I stare into their eyes?' Hermione asked curiously as his words slowly sunk in, she found it weird that she wasn't supposed to do something with her friends.
`They might be able to read your thoughts' Harry said this as if it was completely normal.
`They can read my thoughts?' Hermione said in shock before another, much scarier thought, struck her `can you?'
`Naturally' Harry chuckled before adding quickly as he saw the look on her face `but don't worry, I hate doing it, having it done on me and would never ever dream of invading your privacy like that'
`Thank you' Hermione breathed, a lot happier now that she knew the thoughts she had been having recently were still private.
`But they might be able to do it to you' Harry added warningly, throwing her an apprehensive glance.
`So Ron was reading my thoughts the whole time when we were here last?' She asked not sure how she felt about it.
`I don't know' Harry said shrugging his shoulders dramatically `Its pretty advanced magic so I don't even know if any of them could even do it, let alone do it to you…except Albus Dumbledore of course'
`So Albus is a mind reader?' Hermione asked interestedly making Harry throw his head back in laughter `What's so funny?'
`I used to know a particularly nasty little man who would want to kill you for uttering the words mind reader!' Harry laughed `but that's besides the point…Albus can read minds, for want of a better term'
`How do you know?' Hermione asked.
`He tried to break into mine' Harry said brightly, but Hermione was shocked at this, Albus had always seemed so nice and trusting before `don't worry, he didn't manage it and he probably knew he wouldn't be able to'
`So why would did he try then?' Hermione asked.
`So he could judge first hand if I was as powerful as he thought I might be' Harry explained `I wished that I had realized that when he tried, that way I wouldn't have flexed my absolute supreme power quite as much as I did'
`What did you do?' Hermione groaned as she saw the mischievous glint sparkle behind his eyes.
`Nothing much…' Harry grinned `kicked him out, followed the source of his magic and folded it back onto him and left a slight imprint of a memory with him'
`An imprint of what exactly?' Hermione asked, they were nearing the door to their destination and she now had to wonder what kind of reception she should be expecting. It sometimes seemed that Harry brought the worse out in people.
`Do you remember that I told you at the time that I had been listening to the radio and had got a song stuck in my head' Harry asked looking at her.
`Kinda' Hermione answered `When Draco was leading us to that torture chamber room he had you said how you wanted to go to some place to get it extracted'
`That's kinda remembered?' Harry teased.
`Carry on with your explanation' Hermione said giving him a playful little nudge.
`Well I found a place to dump that memory instead' Harry said with a wicked grin `Albus had to listen to Ice Ice Baby on repeat for hours!
Harry pushed the doors open and strode through, Hermione giggling slightly as she followed him into the large busy room and looked around at its inhabitants, instantly recognizing several of them.
`HERMIONE GRANGER!' she heard Ron roar as he ran up to them, instantly pulling her into a tight hug. As he broke the embrace he gave her a little smile before looking at Harry and adding in an overly dramatic, but not very friendly voice `and Harry Potter, her ever faithful sidekick!'
`As long as I'm hers' Harry said chuckling to himself as Hermione felt herself blush slightly.
`So what are you two doing here?' Remus asked as he strolled up to them, a large smile covering his features as he embraced Hermione and shook Harry's hand.
`Yet another mysterious adventure' Harry said awkwardly giving Hermione the cue that he didn't want too much said.
`Yeah, same old life' Hermione said smiling `anything weird been going on here?'
`Depends on what you mean by weird' came a voice that she instantly recognized.
`James!' Hermione squealed as she turned and saw him before her, and without a second thought she ran to him and leaped into his arms. As his hands ran over her back she realized how much she had actually missed him `I can't believe you're here…actually, why are you here?'
`Muggle-wizard relations' James said as he broke away from her, by the look on his face and the way he held himself as he said theses words she could tell just how proud he was of it.
`James Stone, defender of the world!' Hermione said making Harry blush slightly `so what do you do?'
`To tell the truth, not too much' James said modestly, but sounded slightly disheartened `after the Slytherin Government were overthrown the Conservatives won by a land slide, and naturally they refuse any change saying they don't want to panic the populace'
`Why don't you just go over their heads?' Harry asked curiously `run it through the media and get the truth out there?'
`We can't all stand against an entire country and win' James said respectfully to Harry.
`And besides that, we're not sure that people are ready for it' Remus said a little shyly.
`And the Slytherins are still out there, probably plotting their next way to enslave the muggles and kill us' Ron said reasonably `if we told them we might just end up dragging them into a war were not even ready for yet…and with those New-clear weapons they have, who knows what might happen?
`I don't know about that!' Harry laughed loudly and dramatically for show `I think they might just surprise you…the human race might just be ready for the next great adventure, to throw everything in the air and see where it all falls…'
`If my mother can get her head around it then everyone else should be fine' Hermione pointed out making James laugh slightly to himself.
`The greatest thing they have is how adaptable they are, a thousand times more than you are' Harry explained, his voice going slightly lower as he became more passionate `look at all the things they've been through, from plagues to world wars and ice ages! And every single time the human desire for a better, happier, life brings us through!'
`But we don't all have the luxury of viewing 2006 with hindsight' Albus Dumbledore said interrupting Harry as he strolled over to them.
`But you do have the luxury of being able to ask me about it' Harry said smiling as he shook Albus' hand.
`Societies can't grow if they already know the future' Albus shot back grinning.
`But individual members could' Harry said laughing.
`And so the debate could last for all eternity' Albus said chuckling `but, unfortunately, we don't have that amount of time, so why don't you tell me why you have appeared today?'
`We were just…' Hermione started.
`Were stuck' Harry said interrupting her. Hermione shot him an angry glance, Harry had made it obvious that he didn't want to much said, and now he was blabbing everything.
`How can you two, who can go anywhere, be stuck?' Albus said genuinely confused.
`Something or someone has taken that away from me' Harry said simply.
`Ah…' Albus said.
Hermione looked around, every face in the crowd was straining their eyes as they stared at the two of them, trying to work out just what was happening. Hermione looked at them and wondered if they were trying to read their minds, as was the concentration on all their faces.
`Maybe we should talk about this in my room…' Albus said this and pointed towards a door at the other end of the
room.
Harry nodded and took Hermione's hand to lead her away but Albus held up a hand.
`Maybe we could do this just the two of us, alone?' Albus asked as his eyes twinkled onto Hermione for the smallest of moments.
`Whatever you have to say to me you can say to Hermione' Harry said, a little anger fluttered into his voice as he looked at Albus. Hermione felt both awkward and angry. Did Albus not trust her?
`Dear, lovely Hermione' Albus said as kindly as he could as he took her free hand in his, his skin soft against hers `I mean no harm by this, none at all…'
`So why do you want me alone?' Harry asked, but Albus was still looking at her. Hermione remembered Harry's warning and made sure not to stare into his bright blue eyes.
`I just need half an hour of young Harry's time, half an hour and he's yours again…' Albus said, a little sadness seemed to drain into his voice `forever'
`And I told you that…' Harry started.
`Its ok' Hermione said interrupting Harry as she let go of his and Albus' hand and gave Harry a smile `I want to catch up with everyone anyway'
`Hermione…' Harry started, his voice low and full of concern.
`No' Hermione said as sweetly as she could `you go with Albus'
`I'll show you around' James said taking a step closer to Hermione.
`But…' Harry said, but his voice trailed of as he just stared at Hermione in a complete lack of thoughts.
`That's agreed then' Albus said as he started to walk slowly towards the door he had earlier pointed out.
Harry stood still as he looked into Hermione's eyes, Albus walking off slowly behind him, when he suddenly lurched forward and enveloped in an embrace.
`Half an hour' Harry breathed lowly into her ear.
`you sound panicky' Hermione teased as she felt his hands crawl up her back making her eyes want to close and bury into his chest.
`Well…' Harry said as he broke the embrace `I've gotten used to having you next to me'
and with a little wink he turned on his heel to leave her with her old friends, her old boyfriend, and the new feeling of being along, the feeling of not having her Harry standing beside her, ready to battle the world for her.
*
Harry lowered himself softly into his chair and pushed his back deep into the upholstery as he looked around Albus' room. It was exactly as he had expected it to be, full to the point of overspill with amazing magical items and equipment, the kind of things that when he was younger would have completely blown his mind away. Now he was older, and had seen so very much, and was more interested in what Albus actually owned.
`You have a good collection here' Harry said appreciatively, the amount of items he had would give the Anglia a run for its money. One of its store rooms anyway.
`Thank you' Albus said lowering himself into his chair across the table from Harry.
Harry sat opposite Albus and looked around, Albus was trying to lead the conversation by making Harry speak first, and in effect give up what he wants and whys he's here leaving Albus in the main role of saviour. Harry absolutely hated this approach and felt like cursing, except that would mean he broke first.
Harry twiddled his feet slightly and wondered how long Albus could keep this going. Hopefully not like Pol Pot. He had managed 8 hours, in which Harry had accidentally drifted of to sleep, twice. And now he only had half an hour. And he wouldn't be late for Hermione.
Harry had a peek to see what was on Albus desk and saw a large bowl of liquorice wands which made Harry thank god. Grabbing one he started to chew on the end, and although he liked them he half wished for strawberry bon bons, Hermione's favourite sweet, but knew he should be grateful for anything.
He looked up and almost found himself speaking for he had seen the pensieve, the one that held his memory, or at least a memory of him. So Albus kept it in his own room? Harry found this very interesting.
`You win, Harry Potter' Albus said snapping Harry from his thoughts. Harry gave him a little apologetic shrug and checked his watch. Twenty minutes. Not bad.
`Never play games involving time with me' Harry said laughing.
`Harry Potter, the lord of time' Albus said with a smile.
`I prefer Time Lord' Harry said laughing again, but it quickly died away as he found himself shooting a glance to his side, to his side where he expected to see Hermione.
`A Time Lord?' Albus said thoughtfully `Please tell me how a Time Lord can be stuck?'
`Jumping right into the nitty gritty?' Harry said, slightly impressed.
`Well I wasted twenty minutes through my stupidity, and realize that you refuse to be late for Miss Granger' Albus explained `So I figure that we only have ten minutes left, and I wish to use them well'
`Good. The means by which I travel got…absorbed or drained…and thus I have no way to travel…It even took my wand' Harry said groaning as this point sunk in on him.
`Absorbed or drained?' Albus said in thought, seeming to disregard the issue of Harry being wandless `are you sure the magic didn't run out?'
`That's what I thought at first' Harry admitted `but a home I have, intensely protected, has also met the same fate…and coincidence is the excuse of the lack of imagination'
`I agree' Albus said truthfully.
`So what do you know?' Harry said, finding himself wanting to come straight to the point. He had promised Hermione that he would be back in half an hour, but saw no reason that he couldn't come back earlier.
`Of magic absorption and draining?' Albus said `no more than others, and definitely a lot less than you'
`Ok' Harry said grinding his teeth slightly at the lack of information `What do you know of anything strange that has been going on?'
`At the moment everything seems strange' Albus said cryptically.
`Albus' Harry said low, he was starting to get annoyed `I don't have time for your games, for you to try and protect knowledge and play your cards against your chest'
`I know that' Albus said leaning forward, his face completely calm `but what you have to realize is that whatever has happened has stumped you! The self proclaimed Time Lord who has seen things that I could only ever dream of! And you come to me and expect quick answers for such a problem, to see a crack of a hint in the thirty words you've given me?'
`I…' Harry said awkwardly, he knew he was being unreasonable, childish even. But it wasn't often that he found himself so confused by magic, and felt himself falling back to when he was a lot younger and a stranger to this world, a world he needed to be led through `I'm sorry'
`It's quite alright, Harry' Albus said kindly `I know what its like, being rather cleverer than the average person myself I often get annoyed with peoples lack of imagination'
`I'll try and rephrase it…' Harry said thinking carefully `something magical, wizard or animal…acting differently…you probably haven't seen it much lately as otherwise you would have noticed how much power it has…I don't know what more I have…'
`How about a history in trying to drain magic from you?' Albus said leaning forward quickly, his eyes sparkling manically as he grinned from ear to ear.
`You mean?' Harry said excitedly `Draco Malfoy is back?'
`About six months ago' Albus said smiling `managed his way hack form the Sahara Desert in less than 3 months, rather sunburnt thought!'
Harry leaned backwards and laughed, this was starting to all form but problems still existed.
`Maybe…' Harry said cautiously `but he could never manage this…draining someone when you stick magical items on them in front of you as your prisoner is one thing…but breaking magical protections of the likes you've never heard of and draining a stationary object of unparallel power is another thing all together'
`He fits the other points' Albus pointed out `I saw him about a month ago, seemed paler than ever, worried…scared even…he's stopped showing up for any events, stays completely to himself, even leaving his lackeys Mr. Crabbe and Mr. Goyle…and now he's disappeared'
`Disappeared?' Harry asked.
`Completely' Albus started `I have some of my best men out searching for him but so far he's fallen through the cracks'
`I guess it possible' Harry said uncertainly.
`I think its probable' Albus said quickly.
`You have a hunch about him, don't you?' Harry asked with a wry smile.
`Well, yes I do' Albus admitted.
`Then that's good enough for me' Harry said smiling.
Albus sat there for a few moments and watched him, curiosity gone and in its place was genuine friendship. The meeting of minds.
`You've lost your wand, correct?' Albus said quickly standing up, Harry nodded.
Albus walked over to a large cupboard, reminding Harry of his own one back in the Anglia.
`Here's a spare wand' Albus said handing him the wand and sitting down again in his chair across from Harry's. He held it before him and was amazed at the comfort and fit of it, like a brand new Olivanders.
`What's the core?' Harry asked as he gave it a wave and magiced a glass of wine for himself, a trick he had perfected in his visits to Hermione's mums.
`Phoenix tail feather' Albus said eying Harry closely.
`Fawkes?' Harry said laughing to himself in disbelief.
`How do you know Fawkes?' Albus asked, throwing away all pretence of being casual and leaning forward in curiosity.
`We go way back' Harry said cryptically, he didn't want Albus to know everything `we bump into each other from time to time'
`That's the only feather he's ever given' Albus said conversationally, leaning backwards into his chair.
`Nope' Harry said shaking his head `at least two others have been made…I should know I owned one of them…'
`So he gave away three feathers, two of them he meant for you?' Albus said this quietly, more to himself than to Harry.
`I better be going' Harry said quickly standing up, he didn't want Albus to ask any more questions along this line as Harry knew that the other wand would be brought up next `thank you for everything'
`I'll have my men search for any sign of Draco or the Slytherins' Albus said
`I'll do my own searches as well' Harry said making his way to the door.
`One last thing, Harry' Albus said, making Harry stop and turn around `although now I feel stupid for not mentioning this before I rearmed you'
`What is it?' Harry said in concentration, Albus' words were already angering him.
`It's Hermione…' Albus said softly.
`What about her' Harry said quickly, his heart beating quickly, sending out his magic accidentally making Albus recoil ever so slightly. Harry regained his control and stared at the old man.
`She's not yours' Albus said softly, calmly but with the tiniest hint of apprehension.
`What does that mean?' Harry asked and he felt his blood was starting to boil as it coursed through his veins.
`You know exactly what it means…' Albus said, sorrow in his eyes `It's why you've pulled away from her all this time…'
`You know nothing of it' Harry said angrily, clenching his mouth shut and grinding his teeth.
`Not even a Time Lord can over come this…' Albus said.
`Maybe your right' Harry said as he turned on his heel and opened the door `but I can'
`Harry…' Albus said `I've seen what will happen…'
But Harry heard no more as Harry slammed the door behind him. He didn't want to know the future, not his, not hers. The future led people, when people should be the ones creating it. He walked down the corridor, determined to get to Hermione, but he found his head ringing, not with the sound of door on stone but with Albus Dumbledore's words. And they were the truth. Hermione wasn't his.
*
Ok, I know I took a long time updating this, and I'll explain. First of, reviews have DRASTICALLY dropped…3 reviews for the last chapter! That's incredibly disheartening for a writer. So I took my time, I wrote out the rest of the story by hand, adding in one very, very horrible thing because of the lack of reviews, and now I'm typing them up and adding to them…
Hope you liked it…4 more chapters to this adventure…Finale is quickly approaching!
Without a time machine and all the adventures that has to offer, our duo finds themselves alone. Expect Fluff!
Jms Granger…
-->