Disclaimer – yeah, don't own HP, whatever.
A/N - Some of the stuff I may add in might reference Harry Potter fan-stuff, like Very Potter Musical, and Potter Puppet Pals. Just an FYI XD.
The rough "time" frame of this scene starts in Book Four, Goblet of Fire, somewhere before the Yule Ball. Don't know exact chapter number, but this is after Harry's been told that he's going to have to lead the dance and has somewhat of a spazzy panic attack trying to find a date ^^
Chapter One
"Why do girls have to travel in packs?" Harry groaned to a silent Ron as a dozen or so girls walked past them, giggling and staring at Harry. "How're you supposed to get one on their own to ask them?"
"I dunno," Ron muttered half-heartedly. He thought for a moment, then suggested, "Lasso one, maybe?"
Harry groaned, ignoring Ron's suggestion. After all, there was no way he'd be able to muster up enough courage to even talk to one, let alone lasso her.
As the people pushed pass, Harry suddenly noticed a commotion somewhere ahead of them. Curiously, he stalked forward, but stopped short. He had seen the unmistakable platinum blonde head of Draco Malfoy.
There on the floor in front of him was a girl Harry didn't know, staring down at her stuff splayed across the floor, as if placidly waiting for this encounter to end. Why wasn't anyone helping her? He examined her clothes carefully, looking for some indication of her House, but found none.
Harry looked around wildly, then silently cursed himself a moment later. What had he been expecting, Moody to come and turn Malfoy into a ferret again? It was already late into lunch, and most of the teachers were either still finishing up a lengthy lunch, or had already returned to their classrooms to prepare for their next classes. He would have to take action himself.
"You think you're so good, don't you now? Walking around as if you were better than the rest of us. Well, your mother was a Mudblood. You've got tainted blood running through your filthy veins," Malfoy sneered. "You're no better than that Potter."
"Lay off, Malfoy," Harry said quietly. Malfoy started and whirled around in place to face him, his sneer slipping a little into a complaisant smile, as if preparing in case it was Moody who had addressed him.
"Well, well, well, if it isn't Potter." Malfoy's sneer was once again back, directed contemptuously at Harry's drawn wand. Seriously, it had become a permanent fixture on his face. "What are you going to do about this, hmm? Go cry to your dead parents about it? 'I suppose I get my strength from my parents.' 'I know nothing will hurt me…because they're watching over me.' Rita Skeeter sure said it well, Potter. You sure you don't need a hanky? I can lend you mine, if you want. 'Course, I wouldn't ever want it back, seeing as it's been touched by filth like–"
Rage boiled through Harry, and he whipped out his wand, but there was no need.
Suddenly, out of nowhere, something seemed to hurtle itself at Malfoy, cutting him off short as the wind was knocked from him. He jerked oddly to the side, as if being dragged by the hair, then started wheeling around wildly, but was unable to find his mystery assailant.
Harry stared, slack-jawed and dumb-founded as the thing flew back from Malfoy and almost immediately faded from sight. Whatever it was, it had had a barely visible, but definite form.
"Using illegal spells, are we, Potter," he shrieked, unable to believe that he had been attacked by nothing. "You wait until my father hears about this. Oh, you'll be sorry then. I'll–"
"Draco," a familiar, nasty voice rang out. Even without turning around, Harry could tell that this was the loathed, oily voice of Snape.
Malfoy started, took a quick look behind him, then whispered snidely, "You'll get it now, Potter. You'll get exactly what you deserve."
As Snape came within easy earshot, Malfoy began, without preamble, "Sir, Potter here has been throwing around–"
Snape cut him off with a wave of his arm. He cast a contemptuous look around at the crowd that had gathered in the meantime.
"Class is about to begin," he murmured insidiously. The people flinched imperceptibly at his tone and immediately scattered. Within seconds, the halls were empty.
Turning back on the trio, his beady eyes took in the scene, sharply eyeing the girl Malfoy had been bullying, who was still on the floor, eyes downcast. As he swept his eyes across her, slight recognition dawning in his eyes, when suddenly, the girl looked up for the first time, straight into Snape's eyes.
Snape drew in a chocked breath, staring into the girl's eyes, almost as if unable to look away. Harry and Malfoy, both catching Snape's expression, strained to get a look at the girl's eyes as well while shooting dirty looks at each other. However, the girl's back was to both of them, and neither wanted to catch Snape's attention, so they stayed put, curiosity burning within them.
A heartbeat later, Snape suddenly staggered, catching himself before he fell over backwards, unconsciously fiddling with his cloak. He looked around nervously, eyes falling on the two boys, seeming to only just register their presence.
He swiftly snapped to attention, trying to cover his uneasiness.
"What are you doing here, Potter?" he barked, nervously smoothing his cloak. "Don't you have somewhere to go?"
Harry stared uncertainly. Had he heard correctly? Had Snape really just dismissed him without at least assigning him one detention?
Malfoy was gaping at Snape in equal surprise. "But, Sir," he protested. "Potter…"
"Silence," Snape barked. "I will deal with you later."
Out of the corner of his eye, Harry saw the girl on the floor stiffen. Something was wrong, seriously wrong, and Snape was too worked up to notice. Thinking fast, he made his decision, pushing past Snape and diving for the floor. He managed to catch her just before she collapsed completely to the floor.
"How dare–" the words died as he whirled around and saw the girl unconscious in Harry's arms. His beady eyes quickly reassessed the situation. A split second later, he was on the floor besides her and had shoved Harry aside.
Harry gaped at him. Snape had scooped her out of his arms with a gentleness that Harry had never seen in him before. He shook himself slightly, then scrambled to his feet. By the time he was vertical, Snape had already swept around and started heading down the hall.
"We need to get her to Professor Dumbledore's office immediately," he stated, forestalling any questions.
"Severus," an imposing voice rang out. Harry whirled around to see Dumbledore's approaching shape. Relief flooded through him.
Dumbledore eyed the scene sharply. "Is there a problem?" he asked amiably.
"Headmaster…" Snape said in surprise, turning around carefully so as to not jostle the girl. "I was just taking Hestia to your office. You said that…" trailed away.
"'If anything happened to her, you must bring her to me immediately,' Yes, I see you were about to do just that. However, seeing as I am here already, there is no need for you to accompany. Go deal with Draco there in the corner. I shall take Harry with me," he said warmly, his tone clearly that of someone refusing to be drawn into an argument. Snape looked uncertain for a moment, then unwillingly handed the unconscious girl – Hestia – into Dumbledore's waiting arms. He carried her easily for a man of his age.
"Go," he said, a little bit more forcefully when Snape hesitated.
Snape collected himself, inclined his head towards Dumbledore, then rounded on Malfoy. Dumbledore watched the pair disappear around the corner before turning to Harry.
"Harry, this is Hestia Baronova. I'll tell you more about her later, but right now, I want you to know that she has prophetic powers. The problem is, she only speaks in Parseltongue, and while I do know a bit of this very intriguing language, my linguistic skills in this area are by no means the best. Since you are here, I would like you to act as interpreter." He looked down at Harry pensively. Harry shuffled uncomfortably under Dumbledore's intense scrutiny.
"Right now," Dumbledore finally added casually. "She tends to speak somewhat quickly at times. Do your best and catch as much of it as you can."
Harry jolted. "But…" he stammered. "But, Sir! How do you know she…"
"Because I know the warning signs," Dumbledore interrupted. "This kind of thing has obviously happened before. Now, quiet. I'm sure that this is of the utmost import."
Harry stared at the unconscious girl in Dumbledore's arms, almost as if he could will her to talk with the strength of his gaze.
Suddenly, her eyes shot open. Harry jerked back in surprise. The milky quality of her ianthine eyes he had glimpsed earlier was gone, replaced with an intense royal purple that seemed to be able to see right through him.
Harry felt a chill pass through him. For a moment, he entertained the wild idea that maybe she was looking through him, into his mind, his very soul. Don't be ridiculous, he scolded himself. He didn't feel very reassured.
A shudder passed through the girl – Hestia, he reminded himself. A resounding voice issued from her mouth, melodious and ringing. He gaped in wonder. It was a voice unlike any he had heard before, a voice so filled with the authority of ages that each word seemed to carry the weight of destiny.
He shook himself slightly, remembering just in time to listen for the words she was saying. Oddly enough, it seemed that she really was speaking in Parseltongue. He could hear the unmistakable weird hissing quality weaving through the harmony of her voice.
Two alive shall go yonder where Truth lies
But only One shall tell the tale,
Live witness to vile rebirth.
One and one, and One for one, yet unequal trade,
For value lies not in quantity:
Gold out-values base lead.
While happiness and joy reigns throughout,
Death and despair shall take root
Through that, shall destruction thrive
Till at its root, the One shall strike.
Finishing, her mouth snapped close and she fell limp and seemed to lapse into a deep sleep.
Harry stared at Dumbledore in wonder.
"But…" he managed through numb lips. "What did that mean?"
A/N – After coming back from a rather long hiatus, I've decided to rewrite part of this! Actually, this is mostly spurred by my finding some old notes that I had lost when I actually wrote this chap out. Hopefully the new version will be much better planned, and stuff. (Wow, that was terrible grammar…)
So yeah. Please R&R. I'd be glad to accept almost anything: questions, comments, concerns, etc. The whole "I really enjoyed this chapter; please keep writing/update soon" type comments are certainly accepted, but they're not really helpful in the long run and tell me nothing of what you really thought. I enjoy details, and like any other author, positive comments help keep me alive.
Remember – you flame me, I'll probably ignore you completely and just go on with life XD. I welcome suggestions always.
Another thing; once I get started up with all of this again, I'll try to update at least once a month. And maybe eventually come up with a better title for this story… DIGRESSION HAS OCCURRED.