Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter, I do not have any rights to Harry Potter and I do not make any money from writing these fics.
Written For the Harry Potter Chapter Challenge and the As Much As You Can Challenge.
Warnings: AU, Character Bashing, Sort of Character Death, Violence. Various warnings, not sure yet though. Will add here as I go along.
Prompt: Write about someone receiving a letter.
Chapter 3
In no time at all Harry found himself coming to the end of his path and back out into the more popular areas of the castle. As he slowly came to the exit Harry slowed down only to come to a complete stop just a few footsteps before entering the other hallway.
'I wonder if Granger and Weasley have come back to the dorm to search for me' Harry thought only to remember the distance between the Great Hall and the Gryffindor Dorms. 'Of course they would not be here yet, they do not know of the short cuts like I do so they are going to be another ten or so minutes...that should give me enough time to sneak in and set up some privacy and security spells around my bed.'
With one more quick look to see if his two ex-friends were suddenly appearing Harry quickly stepped out of the unused hallway and turned his body so it would look as if he had taken the normal route to the Dorms. At this stage he was unwilling to let anyone know of a single secret that could give him an advantage, no matter how small, that could help him somehow.
Doing his best to pretend that nothing was wrong or had changed Harry quickly made his way the along the short distance to the Dorms. Spotting the Fat Lady sitting in her painting reading a book, most likely a romance novel from her friend and fellow painting, Lady Rose, in the library Harry let out a sigh of relief.
"Excuse me," Harry said politely, knowing it was the best and quickest way to gain entrance into the Tower. "I would like to enter-"
"Finally found out the truth did you?" the Fat Lady said calmly as she placed a cloth looking bookmark in her book before looking at Harry. "About time."
"What do you mean?" Harry asked in confusion, his whole body tensing.
"Dear, us paintings get to move about the school unnoticed," the Fat Lady said as she gave Harry a pointed look. "It is only the first years during their first few months at most that take any proper notice of us so we get to see and hear things that others cannot."
"So you know about what Professor McGonagall was trying to hint at when she gave me these books?" Harry asked causing the Fat Lady to nod her head with a knowing look. "And you know the truth about...Weasley and Granger."
"I do though by the looks of things you are well on the road to finding them out for yourself," the Fat Lady said before her eyes flickered up to Harry's hair. "If I was you I would make sure to cast a glamour on your hair as it looks like the truth is finally coming out."
"What do you mean?" Harry asked only for the Fat Lady to ignore him.
"Now then, you will find your owl waiting for you in your dorm just in case you want to send a letter to anyone," the Fat Lady said, smirking slightly at the shocked look on the young wizards face. "Neither the castle, us paintings, the House Elves or the ghosts and the other magical creatures are on Dumbledore's side. It is time that Dumbledore got a taste of his own medicine."
"Okay...thank you, if I need any help I will be sure to call for a House Elf or search out a painting," Harry said, not wanting to throw away a possible valuable ally while also totally confused. "Now...Lions rule."
"Correct," the Fat Lady said as she glared slightly at the password. "If I was you I send a letter to young Tom, one of the castle's and magic's favourites, before disappearing after you find out the truth."
"Alright..." Harry answered as he waited for the painting to finish opening. 'I wonder...by Tom did she mean Tom Riddle...Voldemort...it can't be though as Tom is a really common name...'
With one last look at the Fat Lady in thanks Harry quickly walked though the entrance and into the lion's tower. As the painting closed behind him Harry was unaware of Hogwarts herself helping him out as a powerful spell was cast over the entrance to the tower which would alert Harry to two certain people's arrival.
"Well at least it looks like everyone is out enjoying themselves, one less thing to worry about," Harry muttered to himself as he turned and headed towards one of the many big comfortable armchairs around the fireplace. "Might as well...no one is here and I could always cast the spells around my bed later."
Making up his mind Harry headed towards his favourite armchair only to freeze half way as a voice echoed though Harry's mind.
No, if you do that then there will be no telling what sort of problems it will lead to later. Go up to the dorms, cast the spells now and read while lying in bed. It will be safer for you.
'What the...' Harry thought in confusion as he looked around the empty common room only to find it still void of life. 'Strange...I guess that everything must finally be getting to me. Maybe I should go upstairs...it would be the smart and sensible thing to do after all...'
Turning his back on the armchair Harry quickly made his way up to his dorm. His mind ran a mile a minute as he tried to place the strange yet familiar voice he had heard. It was like nothing he had ever heard before yet it was like an old familiar voice wrapping a comforting arm around him.
In no time at all Harry climbed the stairs and came to the top. Without thinking Harry walked the familiar path and pulled out his trusty wand. A few seconds later with several spells, that Harry was sure that somehow he did knew even though he did not know them, his bed was protected and offered Harry the privacy he wanted.
"Now to start reading," Harry muttered to himself as he placed his wand away in its holder, which he had gotten last Christmas from Moody after the man had enough of watching him stuff his wand into his back trouser pocket, and sat down on the bed. 'Wonder how far I will get before Granger and Weasley come barging in.'
Letting out a soft sigh Harry moved himself into a more comfortable sitting position only to spot Hedwig sitting on the nearby windowsill watching him with intelligent amber eyes. Remembering what the Fat Lady had told him Harry offered his owl and only friend a small weak smile before opening the first book, which was the animagus type book.
"Chimera cat's...Chimera..." Harry muttered softly to himself as he quickly scanned down the index page only to find what he was looking for under the 'c's. "Ah, here we go...let's see now..."
Reading the page number Harry turned to the page only to frown when he found only a single small paragraph on his animagus form. Reading it carefully Harry let out a frustrated groan when as he found himself re-reading the same words that Professor McGonagall had told him earlier. Slamming the book shut in frustration Harry shoved it under his pillow to hide it from prying eyes before he turned his attention to the other book.
"Trobar el seu seu fusionart," Harry said in confusion as he read the strange sounding title out loud. "What sort of book did Professor McGonagall give me?"
Interest captured Harry opened the book only to freeze when his emerald eyes landed on an innocent looking letter resting in the book. Carefully picking up the letter while holding it carefully as if it might try to eat him, Harry carefully turned it around only to spot the familiar loopy yet elegant writing of Madam Promfrey. The letter clearly addressed to him though Harry had no idea just why the school nurse would be sending him a letter in such a way.
Forgetting the book for a moment Harry carefully opened the letter only to find a thin piece of paper inside. Taking it out Harry slowly unfolded it and began to read it.
Potter,
Please follow and complete the steps shown and described on pages 124 fully. It is important that you do so without missing a single step out. After you have done so what you decide to do is up to you but know that Professor McGonagall and I are on your side and the only reason we have not told you about this until now was thanks to a Dark spell that the Headmaster cast on us.
If you need healing or anyone to talk to after you have completed the steps please feel free to come to me. I am more than willing to help.
Madam Promfrey.
'I wonder what Madam Promfrey means, whatever is going on it sounds like Dumbledore is the person behind everything pulling the strings' Harry thought as a carefully hid the letter under his pillow on top of the other book Professor McGonagall gave him. 'I wonder what is on page 124...'
With his interest captured Harry turned his attention back to the book and began to flip though heading towards the page. As he did so Harry quickly scanned the odd page only for his confusion and interest to grow with each page.
'What the...what sort of thing does Madam Promfrey and Professor McGonagall want me to do?' Harry thought in surprise and shock as he read the title of 124 page, how to contact your twin for the first time.
To Be Continued...