Harry gasped. The panorama had changed. Instead of being in Dumbledore's third floor landing, he was standing in a doorway looking into a large room- what appeared to be the salon. His mother- his mother was on the floor in a corner, her wand twenty or so feet in front of her, and her eyes were on the corner adjacent to hers, which Harry couldn't see. Behind her was… was him. A small baby, nearly one year old, was cooing behind the lovely woman that was Harry's mother. And then he heard another voice. A deep and almost sorrowful voice… he recognized it. Voldemort.
"My dear Lily," said he, " why must you make me do this? You know it is not you I want…" Voldemort's voice was calm and cool, and- hate bundled up in Harry's stomach- he seemed to be enjoying himself…
Harry heard a cry emitting from the child as Lily backed up further.
" I will ask you please. I do not enjoy begging for Mercy, but as I love Harry too much I will risk my pride to do so. And my life. Take me, Tom-"
Tom? Harry thought. Tom? Why is she calling Voldemort Tom?
"-Not Harry. What could you possibly get out of killing a small, harmless child?"
" More than you know, darling Grand-daughter," Voldemort spat the last word out like poisonous venom, "For the prophecy states-"
"The prophecy is fictitious. You know that." Although Lily Potter was facing certain death, her voice matched Voldemort's calm tone, and Harry could tell that she was trying- as magic had failed- to talk her way out of demise.
" I do not believe so, Lilith. It pronounces the conquer of myself in the " hands of a new-born child, black of hair and green of eyes-"
" That could be any child! Not Harry!" Panic was starting to form in the emerald green eyes of Lily Potter. " How could you kill your own family? Your own blood! Hell will open it's gates for you, Thomas Marvelo Riddle!"
" Quiet, you silly girl!" Voldemort; although Harry couldn't see him, seemed to be getting madder and madder as Harry's Mother did not move. Maybe, for some odd reason, he really did not wish to kill her.
Lily, seeing that the only thing possible for her to do now was beg, began to do so.
" Grandfather," she pleaded, " Grandfather, please, don't do it. Wasn't it you who… who always said that… that blood is thicker than water? Spare us…"
The scene began to fade, and slowly Harry realized that he was laying down on some kind of couch, and, inspecting his surroundings, realized that he was in Dumbledore office. Dumbledore himself was standing over Harry, that all- familiar worried look on his aged face.
" Harry? Harry're you okay? Harry?" The voice was almost familiar, almost…
As Harry began to regain consciousness, he recognized it as Dumbledore's.
" S-sir? I just- I saw-"
" Harry, it is very important that you tell me exactly what you saw."
Harry blinked, and was going to ask to just…think for a moment… when he remembered what Dumbledore had said earlier about how things only got harder to talk about when you prolonged talking about them. So, taking a deep breath, he told Dumbledore in exact detail everything that he had witnessed.
" Well, that's… well, Harry, I must tell you that is true."
" What?" Harry asked, his brain still a bit fuzzy.
" Your mother was indeed the Grand-daughter of Lord Voldemort."
" B-but that means that- that I'm- I'm Voldemort's Great Grandson."
Dumbledore nodded gravely. " I assume that your wand connection has something to do with that. Family wands are almost always connected to one another in one similarity or another."
Harry stared at Dumbeldore. The term " family" did not sit well with him.
" Dumbledore," he said, " Voldemort and I are not- no matter what- family. We may be related, but that's as far as it goes. I mean, look at me and the Dursleys. We're related, and I live- er, lived with them, but we were not a family. See what I mean? It takes a special- bond- to be a family. And, to admit it, I never really knew a honest-to-goodness, full-blown family. Ever. Guess I just got the short straw, s'all."
Dumbeldore stared at him. " You are right, of course, and I take back that last comment. I realize that this is a lot for you to take in right now, and I'm sorry that you need to go through it. Although I cannot tell you why now, your existence on the side of good in this battle against Voldemort is crucial, Harry. Just like it was last time."
" Why can't you tell me now? Why? You know, Dumbeldore, you know everything. You know all the answers to the questions that keep me up late at night- questions about my family, about me. About why I lived."
" I'm having strange premonitions that I can't explain. Something- or someone-is trying to make me remember. Trying to make me never forget. And it's driving me insane!"
Dumbledore nodded sympathetically.
" Other orphans don't have to see, hear, and feel exactly what their parents did before they died-"
" I understand that, Harry," Dumbledore cut in, " but you have to take into account how very unique you are, how you saved so many lives with the accident that you caused. I don't know why that curse rebounded, but I have my theories. For instance, I've read about a very, very old charm that people use to protect the ones they love. During the days of Voldemort, it was extremely popular; every time a wizard or witch was born it was performed.
Sadly, the charm didn't always work. You see, every person executing this charm- there could be at least one and at most one hundred- had to love the person in question more than they loved their life. As humans are naturally selfish creatures, half of the time it didn't work, but, in my theory, for you it did. I know for certain that it was done when you were born, and I am positive that your mother and father performed it alone. They would allow nobody else to be included, and only the ones who agreed whole-heartedly were praised as truly loving you. Among these were your Professors Lupin and Figg, and Sirius Black."
Harry was confused. He asked the Headmaster why those people who agreed were hailed for loving him the most.
" You see, Harry, increasing the number of people involved dramatically decreases the possible success of the charm. Do you understand that the more people involved, the more feelings involved?"
" Yes," replied Harry.
" Alright, then, I suppose that is all. Do you feel any more closure now that you know my theory?" Dumbledore asked.
" Yes and no. I know now that my mother and father must have loved me exceptionally to do such a thing, and that gives me sort of a hope. Maybe there's a exception. Maybe there's something to do with the scar, and them, and," Harry paused as a question occurred to him.
" Professor, I thought you said that the Avera Kedavra curse is unable to be blocked."
" I did, Harry," said he, " and that is why I am trying to make it prominent that my theories are just that, theories, presumptions, guesses. It is indeed unclear as to if the Avera Kedavra curse to be blocked, but you, or your parents, did block it. That's what I don't understand."
Harry nodded and stepped out of the office, forgetting completely about his original cause of seeking out Dumbeldore. No, Ron and Hermione can wait. He had a great deal of thinking to do.
¤ ¤ ¤
Ron paced- well, tried to pace around his small living quarters.
No word from Harry in almost a month was strange. Very strange. Un-Harry-like. Tomorrow he and Hermione would be going to Diagon Alley to get their supplies, and that was a trip that, in the past, all three had attended to. It was sort of like something to look forward to at the end of the summer. When he had tried to owl Harry, nothing but an empty Pig had come back. At least Ron knew that Harry was reading the letters- he has to be reading the letters, right?
But what if he wasn't?
What if at this very moment, a spy for Voldemort is reading all about Sirius, reading all about everything? That last letter Ron had sent Harry wasn't exactly that conspicuous; nothing more than ordinary, at least. But what if whoever it was is intercepting other letters, also? Anyone with half a brain could figure out that they knew about something they shouldn't. It was all in their letters. All in Ron's, in any case. Well, he knew Harry was staying at Hogwarts; that was perhaps the last letter he had received from him. Last month. Something was wrong.
Ron dashed down the stairs almost bowling over Ginny. She sent a stream of curses at him, struggling to get up.
" Sorry, Gin!" Ron called behind him as he went flying down flight after flight. When finally reaching the bottom, he popped into the kitchen.
" Hullo, Mum. Any idea where Dad is?"
" Yes, dear. He's out in the garage playing with his plug collection. I swear, that man -"
" Thanks, Mum." To the garage. Ron went through the kitchen and into a small side door. Upon arriving in the garage, he didn't see dad, but instead Penelope Clearwater, Percy's Girlfriend.
" Dad? D- oh hi Penny- Percy's out back."
" Oh, thanks Ron." She stepped to the side and was about to go through the door when she turned.
" Ron?"
"Hmm?" Ron reached down to open the garage. In the back of his head, something said, " isn't that strange? The garage door isn't open and Penny was here…" but he chose to ignore it.
" Is Percy…uh…okay? He's been acting really strange lately and I was wondering -"
Ron stifled a laugh. Yeah, he'd been acting strange, but he didn't know why until last week when he heard Percy talking to Bill in low whispers late at night. He was using that felly-tone thingy that Dad installed two years ago, and he seemed excited. Everyone else was in bed.
" Yeah- yes I know, yes, yes- but you know I have a job- uh huh- and I think I could support her-" he sighed angrily, "Fine, Bill, I know I can support her- yeah, next Sunday, we're riding out to the country and I'm going to ask her then," he paused, listening, " Yes, I know. But you're the only one I'm telling in this family, you should be touched," he laughed, " But don't expect to be the Godfather of our children or anything, unless you cut your hair and get rid of that earring -" This was where Ron choked the Pumpkin Juice he was sipping. Children? Then it all clicked. Percy and Penelope had been going out for three years, in and out of Hogwarts. Percy and Penelope Clearwater were going to get married! Well, he reminded himself, that is if she says yes- which she's bound to do, of course, looking at my brother-
" Uh, Penny I think it's work. He has a big Cauldron Assembly next month in which he plans to discuss," he imitated Percy's nasal-like voice, ' The several problems, quandaries, predicaments, and setbacks that have to do with Cauldron thickness, make, and size.' Sure it'll be- er- really- er- interesting. Yeah, interesting."
" Yes, I agree. I think his work is just fascinating, don't you? The things he'll do to change our world some day -" she beamed.
Although Ron didn't think that inquiring about cauldron thickness was not going to dramatically change or revolutionize their world, he simply nodded. Percy had found his girl after all.
¤¤¤
Hermione Granger stood outside Hogwarts. Harry Potter is going to hang, she thought. Not answering my letters for a month with all this crap that's going on with Voldemort; we'll see about him.
She marched up to the front doors, and, thinking for a moment, rapped sharply on one.
The look on Professor McGonagall's face when she opened the door was priceless.
"Miss Granger?" she said, studying Hermione. "Can I ask what you're doing here?"
" Yes, Professor. I'm- er- here to see Harry."
" Oh, yes, then come in, won't you?" she stepped aside. Hermione entered the castle, and recoiled. About fifty house- elves were visible from where she stood, all cleaning the floors, staircase, doors, and windows.
" Professor? I have to ask you a question, " she said. " Do you or do you not think that the usage of House elves is the same as slavery?"
McGonagall stopped in her tracks and stared at Hermione. " You know, Hermione, I don't think so. Not here. Before employing each elf, Professor Dumbledore asks them how much they would like to be paid, what vacation days they want, etcetera. Most of the house elves think that it is shameful for them to receive any payment, and as that would not be the case for us, it is custom with them. At Hogwarts, we only want happiness for the elves, and we appreciate what they do for us. I don't expect you to understand now, but as you get older, I think you will. That's just the way it is. You have to accept it."
But Hermione didn't want to accept it. It was slavery. Slavery plain and clear, and if everyone else didn't see it that way it was perfectly fine. She could continue the "House Elf Liberation Front" as Ron had been calling it, all alone.
" Professor? Can I see Harry?" she requested.
" Yes, yes he's in his room, I believe. In Gryffindor Tower, you know."
" Oh, okay. Thank you," Hermione told her and walked up the Grand Staircase. When she got to the second floor landing, she sighed, depressed. She could see at least thirty or so more house elves, still cleaning and dusting, and they all turned to bow at her.
" Oh, don't bow to me," she snapped, " You shouldn't bow me. I haven't ever done anything for you. But," she almost laughed at the startled looks on their staring faces, the thirty sets of large, round eyes staring in amazement, " But I'm trying. Believe me I'm trying."
With that she walked past them and vanished behind the curtain. Oh, this is going to be a very, very good day.
¤¤¤
Ron was standing in front of Hogwarts, bellowing at Percy.
" You know I never would have asked you to take me, since your involvement in all situations makes it so much better and easier!"
Percy ruffled like a hen. " Well, you did, little brother!" Ron almost laughed, he was actually, in the moment, staring down at Percy. Having grown almost four inches over the summer, Ron was now taller than every member in his family, including Bill. Last week the twins gave him a crisp, (that he shouldn't have accepted, mind you,) which dyed him green from head to tow, and everyone started calling him the " Jolly Green Giant." Yeah, Ron's had a great summer. Lost in his thoughts, he was barely aware that Percy was still talking.
"And I'm sorry if you find my conversations 'dull and boring,' but cauldron thickness is extremely important-"
Ron grinned at him brightly, " G'bye, Perc," he said, and walked towards the door. He could hear Percy screaming at him about insolent younger brothers and why exactly he should thank his lucky stars for Percy's extensively important research and BS like that- but Ron blocked it out. He should, Ron decided, thank his lucky stars that Percy wasn't in Hogwarts anymore, and therefore he wouldn't have to deal with Percy for a year. Going to Hogwarts early was actually his Dad's idea. Ron had gone to consult him about the Harry situation, and his only solution was to go to Hogwarts, since that's where Harry was.
He walked up to the giant oak door and wrapped sharply. In about five minutes the door swung open, and Ron was faced with Argus Filch.
"What're you doing here?" He said to Ron, his beady eyes suspicious.
" I'm here to see Harry Potter," Ron replied. " Is he here?"
" Yes, he's here," Filch replied, but didn't move, " Why do you want him?"
" Because."
" Well you're going to have to give me a better reason than that."
Ron raked his fingers through his hair and have an exasperated sigh, I just want to see him, okay? " he half- screamed at Filch, "Can I please enter the castle now? Or would you rather go get Dumbledore, he'll straighten this out for you -"
" Alright, alright," he stepped aside, and, obviously bored with Ron, disappeared down an adjacent hallway.
"My dear Lily," said he, " why must you make me do this? You know it is not you I want…" Voldemort's voice was calm and cool, and- hate bundled up in Harry's stomach- he seemed to be enjoying himself…
Harry heard a cry emitting from the child as Lily backed up further.
" I will ask you please. I do not enjoy begging for Mercy, but as I love Harry too much I will risk my pride to do so. And my life. Take me, Tom-"
Tom? Harry thought. Tom? Why is she calling Voldemort Tom?
"-Not Harry. What could you possibly get out of killing a small, harmless child?"
" More than you know, darling Grand-daughter," Voldemort spat the last word out like poisonous venom, "For the prophecy states-"
"The prophecy is fictitious. You know that." Although Lily Potter was facing certain death, her voice matched Voldemort's calm tone, and Harry could tell that she was trying- as magic had failed- to talk her way out of demise.
" I do not believe so, Lilith. It pronounces the conquer of myself in the " hands of a new-born child, black of hair and green of eyes-"
" That could be any child! Not Harry!" Panic was starting to form in the emerald green eyes of Lily Potter. " How could you kill your own family? Your own blood! Hell will open it's gates for you, Thomas Marvelo Riddle!"
" Quiet, you silly girl!" Voldemort; although Harry couldn't see him, seemed to be getting madder and madder as Harry's Mother did not move. Maybe, for some odd reason, he really did not wish to kill her.
Lily, seeing that the only thing possible for her to do now was beg, began to do so.
" Grandfather," she pleaded, " Grandfather, please, don't do it. Wasn't it you who… who always said that… that blood is thicker than water? Spare us…"
The scene began to fade, and slowly Harry realized that he was laying down on some kind of couch, and, inspecting his surroundings, realized that he was in Dumbledore office. Dumbledore himself was standing over Harry, that all- familiar worried look on his aged face.
" Harry? Harry're you okay? Harry?" The voice was almost familiar, almost…
As Harry began to regain consciousness, he recognized it as Dumbledore's.
" S-sir? I just- I saw-"
" Harry, it is very important that you tell me exactly what you saw."
Harry blinked, and was going to ask to just…think for a moment… when he remembered what Dumbledore had said earlier about how things only got harder to talk about when you prolonged talking about them. So, taking a deep breath, he told Dumbledore in exact detail everything that he had witnessed.
" Well, that's… well, Harry, I must tell you that is true."
" What?" Harry asked, his brain still a bit fuzzy.
" Your mother was indeed the Grand-daughter of Lord Voldemort."
" B-but that means that- that I'm- I'm Voldemort's Great Grandson."
Dumbledore nodded gravely. " I assume that your wand connection has something to do with that. Family wands are almost always connected to one another in one similarity or another."
Harry stared at Dumbeldore. The term " family" did not sit well with him.
" Dumbledore," he said, " Voldemort and I are not- no matter what- family. We may be related, but that's as far as it goes. I mean, look at me and the Dursleys. We're related, and I live- er, lived with them, but we were not a family. See what I mean? It takes a special- bond- to be a family. And, to admit it, I never really knew a honest-to-goodness, full-blown family. Ever. Guess I just got the short straw, s'all."
Dumbeldore stared at him. " You are right, of course, and I take back that last comment. I realize that this is a lot for you to take in right now, and I'm sorry that you need to go through it. Although I cannot tell you why now, your existence on the side of good in this battle against Voldemort is crucial, Harry. Just like it was last time."
" Why can't you tell me now? Why? You know, Dumbeldore, you know everything. You know all the answers to the questions that keep me up late at night- questions about my family, about me. About why I lived."
" I'm having strange premonitions that I can't explain. Something- or someone-is trying to make me remember. Trying to make me never forget. And it's driving me insane!"
Dumbledore nodded sympathetically.
" Other orphans don't have to see, hear, and feel exactly what their parents did before they died-"
" I understand that, Harry," Dumbledore cut in, " but you have to take into account how very unique you are, how you saved so many lives with the accident that you caused. I don't know why that curse rebounded, but I have my theories. For instance, I've read about a very, very old charm that people use to protect the ones they love. During the days of Voldemort, it was extremely popular; every time a wizard or witch was born it was performed.
Sadly, the charm didn't always work. You see, every person executing this charm- there could be at least one and at most one hundred- had to love the person in question more than they loved their life. As humans are naturally selfish creatures, half of the time it didn't work, but, in my theory, for you it did. I know for certain that it was done when you were born, and I am positive that your mother and father performed it alone. They would allow nobody else to be included, and only the ones who agreed whole-heartedly were praised as truly loving you. Among these were your Professors Lupin and Figg, and Sirius Black."
Harry was confused. He asked the Headmaster why those people who agreed were hailed for loving him the most.
" You see, Harry, increasing the number of people involved dramatically decreases the possible success of the charm. Do you understand that the more people involved, the more feelings involved?"
" Yes," replied Harry.
" Alright, then, I suppose that is all. Do you feel any more closure now that you know my theory?" Dumbledore asked.
" Yes and no. I know now that my mother and father must have loved me exceptionally to do such a thing, and that gives me sort of a hope. Maybe there's a exception. Maybe there's something to do with the scar, and them, and," Harry paused as a question occurred to him.
" Professor, I thought you said that the Avera Kedavra curse is unable to be blocked."
" I did, Harry," said he, " and that is why I am trying to make it prominent that my theories are just that, theories, presumptions, guesses. It is indeed unclear as to if the Avera Kedavra curse to be blocked, but you, or your parents, did block it. That's what I don't understand."
Harry nodded and stepped out of the office, forgetting completely about his original cause of seeking out Dumbeldore. No, Ron and Hermione can wait. He had a great deal of thinking to do.
¤ ¤ ¤
Ron paced- well, tried to pace around his small living quarters.
No word from Harry in almost a month was strange. Very strange. Un-Harry-like. Tomorrow he and Hermione would be going to Diagon Alley to get their supplies, and that was a trip that, in the past, all three had attended to. It was sort of like something to look forward to at the end of the summer. When he had tried to owl Harry, nothing but an empty Pig had come back. At least Ron knew that Harry was reading the letters- he has to be reading the letters, right?
But what if he wasn't?
What if at this very moment, a spy for Voldemort is reading all about Sirius, reading all about everything? That last letter Ron had sent Harry wasn't exactly that conspicuous; nothing more than ordinary, at least. But what if whoever it was is intercepting other letters, also? Anyone with half a brain could figure out that they knew about something they shouldn't. It was all in their letters. All in Ron's, in any case. Well, he knew Harry was staying at Hogwarts; that was perhaps the last letter he had received from him. Last month. Something was wrong.
Ron dashed down the stairs almost bowling over Ginny. She sent a stream of curses at him, struggling to get up.
" Sorry, Gin!" Ron called behind him as he went flying down flight after flight. When finally reaching the bottom, he popped into the kitchen.
" Hullo, Mum. Any idea where Dad is?"
" Yes, dear. He's out in the garage playing with his plug collection. I swear, that man -"
" Thanks, Mum." To the garage. Ron went through the kitchen and into a small side door. Upon arriving in the garage, he didn't see dad, but instead Penelope Clearwater, Percy's Girlfriend.
" Dad? D- oh hi Penny- Percy's out back."
" Oh, thanks Ron." She stepped to the side and was about to go through the door when she turned.
" Ron?"
"Hmm?" Ron reached down to open the garage. In the back of his head, something said, " isn't that strange? The garage door isn't open and Penny was here…" but he chose to ignore it.
" Is Percy…uh…okay? He's been acting really strange lately and I was wondering -"
Ron stifled a laugh. Yeah, he'd been acting strange, but he didn't know why until last week when he heard Percy talking to Bill in low whispers late at night. He was using that felly-tone thingy that Dad installed two years ago, and he seemed excited. Everyone else was in bed.
" Yeah- yes I know, yes, yes- but you know I have a job- uh huh- and I think I could support her-" he sighed angrily, "Fine, Bill, I know I can support her- yeah, next Sunday, we're riding out to the country and I'm going to ask her then," he paused, listening, " Yes, I know. But you're the only one I'm telling in this family, you should be touched," he laughed, " But don't expect to be the Godfather of our children or anything, unless you cut your hair and get rid of that earring -" This was where Ron choked the Pumpkin Juice he was sipping. Children? Then it all clicked. Percy and Penelope had been going out for three years, in and out of Hogwarts. Percy and Penelope Clearwater were going to get married! Well, he reminded himself, that is if she says yes- which she's bound to do, of course, looking at my brother-
" Uh, Penny I think it's work. He has a big Cauldron Assembly next month in which he plans to discuss," he imitated Percy's nasal-like voice, ' The several problems, quandaries, predicaments, and setbacks that have to do with Cauldron thickness, make, and size.' Sure it'll be- er- really- er- interesting. Yeah, interesting."
" Yes, I agree. I think his work is just fascinating, don't you? The things he'll do to change our world some day -" she beamed.
Although Ron didn't think that inquiring about cauldron thickness was not going to dramatically change or revolutionize their world, he simply nodded. Percy had found his girl after all.
¤¤¤
Hermione Granger stood outside Hogwarts. Harry Potter is going to hang, she thought. Not answering my letters for a month with all this crap that's going on with Voldemort; we'll see about him.
She marched up to the front doors, and, thinking for a moment, rapped sharply on one.
The look on Professor McGonagall's face when she opened the door was priceless.
"Miss Granger?" she said, studying Hermione. "Can I ask what you're doing here?"
" Yes, Professor. I'm- er- here to see Harry."
" Oh, yes, then come in, won't you?" she stepped aside. Hermione entered the castle, and recoiled. About fifty house- elves were visible from where she stood, all cleaning the floors, staircase, doors, and windows.
" Professor? I have to ask you a question, " she said. " Do you or do you not think that the usage of House elves is the same as slavery?"
McGonagall stopped in her tracks and stared at Hermione. " You know, Hermione, I don't think so. Not here. Before employing each elf, Professor Dumbledore asks them how much they would like to be paid, what vacation days they want, etcetera. Most of the house elves think that it is shameful for them to receive any payment, and as that would not be the case for us, it is custom with them. At Hogwarts, we only want happiness for the elves, and we appreciate what they do for us. I don't expect you to understand now, but as you get older, I think you will. That's just the way it is. You have to accept it."
But Hermione didn't want to accept it. It was slavery. Slavery plain and clear, and if everyone else didn't see it that way it was perfectly fine. She could continue the "House Elf Liberation Front" as Ron had been calling it, all alone.
" Professor? Can I see Harry?" she requested.
" Yes, yes he's in his room, I believe. In Gryffindor Tower, you know."
" Oh, okay. Thank you," Hermione told her and walked up the Grand Staircase. When she got to the second floor landing, she sighed, depressed. She could see at least thirty or so more house elves, still cleaning and dusting, and they all turned to bow at her.
" Oh, don't bow to me," she snapped, " You shouldn't bow me. I haven't ever done anything for you. But," she almost laughed at the startled looks on their staring faces, the thirty sets of large, round eyes staring in amazement, " But I'm trying. Believe me I'm trying."
With that she walked past them and vanished behind the curtain. Oh, this is going to be a very, very good day.
¤¤¤
Ron was standing in front of Hogwarts, bellowing at Percy.
" You know I never would have asked you to take me, since your involvement in all situations makes it so much better and easier!"
Percy ruffled like a hen. " Well, you did, little brother!" Ron almost laughed, he was actually, in the moment, staring down at Percy. Having grown almost four inches over the summer, Ron was now taller than every member in his family, including Bill. Last week the twins gave him a crisp, (that he shouldn't have accepted, mind you,) which dyed him green from head to tow, and everyone started calling him the " Jolly Green Giant." Yeah, Ron's had a great summer. Lost in his thoughts, he was barely aware that Percy was still talking.
"And I'm sorry if you find my conversations 'dull and boring,' but cauldron thickness is extremely important-"
Ron grinned at him brightly, " G'bye, Perc," he said, and walked towards the door. He could hear Percy screaming at him about insolent younger brothers and why exactly he should thank his lucky stars for Percy's extensively important research and BS like that- but Ron blocked it out. He should, Ron decided, thank his lucky stars that Percy wasn't in Hogwarts anymore, and therefore he wouldn't have to deal with Percy for a year. Going to Hogwarts early was actually his Dad's idea. Ron had gone to consult him about the Harry situation, and his only solution was to go to Hogwarts, since that's where Harry was.
He walked up to the giant oak door and wrapped sharply. In about five minutes the door swung open, and Ron was faced with Argus Filch.
"What're you doing here?" He said to Ron, his beady eyes suspicious.
" I'm here to see Harry Potter," Ron replied. " Is he here?"
" Yes, he's here," Filch replied, but didn't move, " Why do you want him?"
" Because."
" Well you're going to have to give me a better reason than that."
Ron raked his fingers through his hair and have an exasperated sigh, I just want to see him, okay? " he half- screamed at Filch, "Can I please enter the castle now? Or would you rather go get Dumbledore, he'll straighten this out for you -"
" Alright, alright," he stepped aside, and, obviously bored with Ron, disappeared down an adjacent hallway.