Harry Potter

and the

Oracle of Four Seasons

Chapter 4

Overheard Underneath

by Ri-kun

Nobody made a move. It looked from Harry's point of view as though they were waiting for him to say something. Ron had turned a rather nasty shade of pale green, while Neville acted as though he were fighting back the urge to faint. On the other side, none of the girls were fairing better. Ginny, of all them, had surprisingly handled the shock best. She still kept her eyes on the corpse no longer than necessary; Harry kept telling himself that it was a corpse, and no longer Stan Shunpike. Hermione had a hand covering her mouth. Luna for once was too shocked for words.

"Seriously," Ron whimpered. "Someone needs to open a window."

"This isn't the time for that, Ron!" Hermione shrieked at him.

"Hermione, I..."

"Listen," Harry broke in, looking around. "Aren't we slowing down?"

The train was indeed coming to a slow stop. Harry realized the jolt that had sent the body falling off the railing overhead had come from the conductor slamming down on the brakes suddenly. Everyone gasped as the lights suddenly went out without warning.

"It's okay!" he assured them, wishing he believed it. "We've just gone through the tunnel is all."

No one said a word as the train coasted to a stop. From outside, other Hogwarts students were crying out in surprise and confusion. Over it all, a set of pounding footsteps could be heard. Harry froze as the door to their compartment swung open loudly. A loud thud was heard as someone's toe struck against the corpse at their feet, and Harry thought he recognized the voice.

"Harry?" Colin Creevey called out. "Is Harry Potter in here?"

"I'm here, Colin," he told him, jerking the younger Gryffindor to his side. "What's going on?"

"Thank goodness," he breathed. "I was afraid they had lied about you being in here. Harry, you've got to hide right now. It's the Ministry of Magic, Harry. They're boarding the train right now."

Ginny gasped. "They know about Tonks, then."

"She'll be fine," Hermione stated in a worried voice. "Tonk knew what she was doing from the start. We need to figure out what to do. Maybe they aren't here for Harry after all?"

Harry didn't believe it. "No such luck," Colin told her. "Someone up from overheard them talking with the conductor and the trolley cart witch about what compartment Harry Potter was riding in. Harry, they've come here looking for you!"

"It's alright, Colin. Go back and see if you can't help distract them some way. We'll think of something."

Colin might have nodded, but it was still too dark to see very well. On the way out, his feet got tangled up in one of Stan Shunpike's arms, and nearly careened out into the corridor. "What's that lying on the floor?" he wondered, reaching back. "It feels almost like a..."

"Hurry, Colin!"

"Oh, right."

"At least he didn't have his camera with him this time around," Ron muttered.

"Harry, your Invisibility Cloak," Hermione said at once. "You need to find another compartment to hide in."

"I can't," he told her, yanking the trunk from his pocket. "Tonks shrunk it down when she put that spell on my trunk. I haven't been able to open it since then."

"Let's me see." Harry heard her reaching into her robes for her wand and held his hand with the trunk in it out. "Engorgio!"

A painful warmth coursed through his fingers as the compartment was momentarily lit up. A second later, there was a loud crash as his hand suddenly increased drastically in weight and crashed to the floor, along with the now-regrown trunk lying right on top of it.

"Hermione!"

"Sorry!" she said quickly, waving her wand around again. "It's very hard to see in here."

"Allow me," Luna told her, clearing her throat. "Minimorpheos!"

Once his hand returned to it's normal size, Harry quickly threw open his trunk and yanked the Invisibility Cloak free. Outside, he could hear people shouting for students to move out of the way. It sounded as though they were almost to their compartment now. Harry threw the Cloak over his head and eased the door open as quietly as he could.

"My trunk," he realized, whirling back around.

"We've got it!" Ron said. He and Neville were already hefting it over their heads to the opposite railing above them. "Get going!"

Nodding his thanks, he realized they couldn't see him anymore and ducked through the crowd. Up ahead, Ministry wizards were roughly shoving their way through the mass, ordering everyone out of the way. Harry didn't think they resembled the Aurors he had encountered in his experience. Rather, they reminded him of the bunch that had accompanied the Minister when he'd invaded the Burrow early this morning. One or two of them might have been part of the entourage. Whoever they were, they certainly meant business.

Several weren't pushing their way through the crowd. Instead, they opened each compartment they passed by and searched inside. More than once, students were forced out into the corridor as their compartment was searched more thoroughly. Harry felt a surge of outrage at the sight of this, but kept his anger in check for the moment. His priority was to keep himself hidden from sight, at least until the Ministry gave up and left.

Hiding wasn't really Harry's style, but as he watched the officials draw closer, and idea formed in his head. Ducking down, Harry crouched along the wall and began moving around the sea of feet. The Ministry wouldn't likely search a compartment they'd already gone through once. If he could just make it through the crowd without being noticed, he could hide out in one of them. It sounded simple enough, if the actual plan itself didn't prove more complicated. More than once, Harry wound up tripping over someone's feet or placing his hands in embarassing places completely by mistake. This not only caused the Invisibility Clock to slip off a little several times, but several girls began searched for their mysterious assailant.

Seamus Finnigan stepped forward to nearly knee Harry right in the face, just as he reached out to steady himself. Unluckily, he chose to grasp hold of what turned out to be a bare leg that belonged to none other than Cho Chang. Seamus had been trying to force his way back through the mob growing behind the Ministry officials as they searched the train. Cho's eyes widened for a moment as he passed, and then Seamus went flying as Cho punched him right in the face.

Pandemonium broke out. Harry gave up trying to keep himself covered and made a run for it as a full-blown fight broke out. Seeing an empty compartment off to his left, he dove into it and shut the door behind. Outside, the Ministry wizards were shouting in loud voices, setting off bangs and flashes of light in an attempt to quiet everyone down. At the same time, Hermione's voice rose up over the roar of the crowd to shout about a dead body. It looked like they'd managed to get out without anyone seeing them. It would be a while before he could get free, but at least his friends were safe.

Harry, meanwhile, crawled under the seat and waited, making sure his Cloak had him totally concealed. Time passed, and things outside gradually quieted down some. He could hear people moving around in a rush back and forth. After a time, he could hear students returning to their compartments as the train gave a whistle and began to pull forward again. Harry was just about to crawl out from under the seat when the compartment door opened again.

It was Draco Malfoy, along with Pansy Parkinson and another Slytherin Harry didn't recognize. Crabbe and Goyle were suspiciously absent, but still wasn't a good enough reason to expose himself. Harry made certain he was still completely covered up and stayed low to the ground. Draco and Pansy went for the seat above him, where Draco proceeded to lay his head in her lap. The other unnamed Slytherin took the seat opposite them and folded his legs neatly.

"A murder on the Hogwarts Express," he spoke in a silky voice after a moment's silence. "Who would have thought it?"

"Did you see the looks on those Gryffindor's faces when they brought the body out?" Pansy asked, laughing. "I thought a couple of them were going to faint from shock. So much for bravery!"

"Tell me about it," Draco muttered, raising his feet off the floor to stretch out properly.

"Still, it's odd, isn't it?" the unamed Slytherin went on, turning towards the window. "Who would have guessed something like this could happen so soon?"

"Don't try and play so shocked, Morgan," Draco bit at him. "Everyone in our house knew it was only a matter of time before Dumbledore slipped up." Draco gave a snicker, then. "Serves him right, really."

"I wonder what the Daily Prophet will have to say about this," Pansy went on when he fell quiet. "This will get Dumbledore in trouble for sure."

"I wouldn't count on it," the boy called Morgan warned. "Dumbledore has survived this long. Besides, since when has the Daily Prophet ever told the truth about what happens in our world?"

Morgan coughed. "I doubt something so simple as a dead corpse on a train full of students would make them see reason."

"What's it matter to you?" Pansy asked, shrewdly. "You're acting like you've got something up your sleeves again."

"Not this time," Morgan protested, innocently. "I'm merely observing. My family has opted to stay low for the time being. Father says it's better this way, until we know who the true champion is going to be. If you catch my drift!"

"So you're just going to sit back and join in at the last second on whichever side takes the lead, eh?" Draco raised up as he asked this, and there was a definite undertone of loathing in his voice. "Bloody coward. All you care about is saving your own skin!"

"What's wrong with that?" he replied, unflinching. "As I recall, this was your same philosophy not so long ago. You once told me that you never cared who really won, so long as your clan stood at the top of the pile."

Draco's legs shifted uncomfortably near Harry's invisible face. "Things change," he replied cryptically.

"Really?" Morgan leaned forward a little. "Tell me more."

"It's none of your business!" Draco stood up and glared at Morgan straight in the face. "I'm telling you to drop it, now."

"Draco," Pansy began, softly. "Has something happened? You told me over the summer that..."

"It's nothing," he said firmly, sitting back down all of a sudden. "Nothing's changed. I just..."

Draco's voice drifted off. "Forgive me," Morgan apologized sincerely after a pause. "I didn't mean to harp on unpleasant memories. Perhaps a change of subject is in order! Where are those two you normally spend your time with? I was a little surprised you wanted me around. It's not as though we've ever been the best of mates, after all."

"I told them I didn't want them hanging over me all the time this year," Draco replied. "Crabbe and Goyle need to learn to fend for themselves if they plan on surviving. I can't take care of them forever."

"I never really liked them breathing down our necks, either," Pansy said, loftily. "It'll be nice for us to spend some quality time to ourselves."

Harry had the distinct impression that Pansy was glaring at Morgan as she said this, for whatever reason. If this was was case, however, Morgan didn't seem to mind. "I must admit I'm looking forward to this year," he continued, obliviously. "Are you planning to take up the Quidditch Captain mantle? I hear Harry Potter was granted the title of Gryffindor Captain by the headmaster himself."

"Who cares?" Draco snubbed. "I might be too busy to handle anything like Quidditch anymore."

Morgan was grinning. "And you once accused me of being mysterious!"

There was nothing for Harry to do but remain where he was until the train finally arrived. The area under the seat was very cramped, with little room to manuveur. It would have been unwise to shift around much anyway, since any sudden movement might cause the Invisibility Cloak to fall off and give him away. Harry only hoped the train was getting close to Hogwarts. As uncomfortable as it were, though, Harry still found the predicament he was in interesting. It was nice to hear that Draco didn't rule the Slytherin house with an iron fist as he had often let everyone believe. Hearing another Slytherin give Draco grief was priceless!

Unfortunately, the rest of their conversation drew to a close as the train began to slow down once again. Harry wondered for a moment whether it was being stopped again, but then the Slytherins started getting to their feet. Time had slipped away from him while he was in his hiding place.

"I'm still interesting in why you are taking allegance to the Dark Lord so seriously," Morgan pressed, standing in front of the door.

"Like I said earlier," Draco replied, glaring back at him. "Things change."

"Are you planning on letting us out?" Pansy asked, her arms folded angrily.

"Like I could keep either of you here against your will." Morgan opened the door, and the compartment was at once filled with the noise of students chattering in the corridor. It sounded much louder than usual somehow, which made sense considering there had just been a murder on the train.

"You both coming?" Morgan asked, looking back at them.

"Go on," Draco told Pansy, who looked at him in surprise. "I'll be along in a minute. There's something I need to take care of first."

Pansy looked like she wanted to argue, but Draco wasn't having any of it. "Do it!" he barked, which sent her storming out the door in a huff after Morgan. Harry watched quietly as Draco shut the door and leaned up against it. He suddenly looked very tired; almost bone-weary in that moment. Draco then reached into the folds of his cloak and withdrew something. The item, whatever it was, fit too perfectly in Draco's palm for Harry to get a good look at it.

Draco turned the other way, almost as though he were aware that someone was watching him, and a soft green glow lit up from his hand. Harry watched, his body gone rigid, and listened closely as Draco Malfoy began to speak.

"Shunpike has failed, sir. His body was in the compartment with Potter and his friends, but no one knows who killed him."

There was a pause. "Yes, sir. I understand! Of course, I..."

Draco swallowed as a look of fear crossed his face. Sweat began to break out on his forehead. Harry couldn't hear who he was talking to. As far as he could tell, there were no other voices in the compartment with them. Whoever Draco was listening to, however, had clearly terrified Draco. And Harry suddenly had a horrible suspicious.

"Yes, master." It was barely audible, but the words rang out loud and clear in Harry's ears.

Harry waited while Draco clenched his hand. A trickle of blood ran down his arm from where he gripped, but Draco gave no notice. The light began to fade, and Draco slipped his hand back into the fold in his cloak. Keeping his back to Harry, Draco reached for the door. That was Harry's cue!

Before Draco could slide the compartment door open, he rolled out from under the seat, letting the Invisibility Cloak fall off in the process. Draco turned around at the noise, but he was two steps ahead. Blood pumped in Harry's veins as he threw himself up from the crouching position he'd rolled into and launched his whole body forward. His hand was clutching his wand; Harry couldn't remember reaching for it, but as Draco was going for his, it no longer mattered. Draco was faster on the draw, but Harry knocked it aside before his opponent could hex him.

"Hello, Draco." Harry pointed his wand at Draco's face. The tip of it began to glow ominously. "Making new friends, are we?"

Draco looked stunned for a moment, but quickly recovered. "Potter," he said distainfully, adopting a countenance that reminded Harry of his mother, Narcissa. "Eavesdropping is a very bad habit, you know. I should've expected as much from someone who spends so much time around house-elves, though."

"Funny," retorted Harry.

Draco swallowed, but didn't turn away. "Let go of me, Potter," he warned, seizing Harry by the hand. "This doesn't have anything to do with you. Dumbledore wouldn't want his pet fighting on the train now, would he?"

"Dumbledore isn't here. Neither is Crabbe and Goyle to beat people up for you. Or your father, to keep everyone who disagrees with you too afraid to speak up!"

Draco's eyes lit up with fury. "You leave my father out of this!" he roared.

"It's just you and me now, Draco." Harry's voice was cold as he spoke, gripping Draco's collar tighter. "You always knew it was going to be like this. It was going to come down to the two of us one day."

"Big talk for the wizarding world's Champion," Draco quipped back, pushing Harry back a little. "A Champion who runs away and doesn't show his face for nearly all summer. What happened, Potter? Dumbledore have you locked up in somebody else's cupboard for a change? I hope at least this one was owned by a wizard, instead of some filthy Muggle..."

Anger flowed through Harry's blood, and with it came strength. His right shoulder blade flared up, burning with a weird warmth that spread all through him. He didn't really remember throwing Draco. His body just reacted somehow. Harry would have never guessed he had the kind of strength needed to do anything like that. None of that covered up the loud crash that Draco's body made when it careened through the air into the wall. Nor did it stop the compartment from shaking as he landed hard on the ground. All Harry knew was that he abruptly felt fatigued, and Draco had his wand once again. He might have somehow lifted Draco off his feet, but the compartment was still relatively smal, and Harry had conveniently forgotten where he'd knocked Draco's wand before.

Not that any of this mattered now.

"Nice trick, Potter," Draco spat, getting to his feet. "Did your pathetic, Muggle-loving hero teach you that? I'm shocked Dumbledore was willing to show you anything worthwhile. He usually keeps your head full of more twaddle than anyone else. Not that it's hard to do."

"You're still all talk, Malfoy!" Harry said, bringing his wand up. "Maybe you should get a girlfriend. It would give you something else to do with your mouth! Assuming Slytherin girls like 'little boys.'"

There was no room in the compartment to dodge. Draco didn't utter a sound, but the blast that came from his wand took Harry up off his feet and sent him flying backwards through the door. It fell to the ground in the corridor outside with him falling fast right after it. They both landed with a loud clatter, but Harry was quick to get back on his feet. Draco was coming for him, and at least out here there was some room to manuveur.

The train was now empty of students. Draco held his wand up and sneered. "Not so tough now, are you, Potter? Looks like you're the one who's all talk!"

Draco fired off another hex, but this time Harry was ready for him. "Protego!" he cried out, using his shield to bounce the curse right back at Malfoy. "So what are you now, Malfoy? Did Voldemort make you his pet now that your father's been locked away in Azkaban?"

"Careful what you ask, Potter." Draco countered Harry's Stun hex with a shield of his own, once again not speaking his spells aloud. "Asking about things that aren't any concern of yours could get you killed. You wouldn't want to end up like that pimple-faced fool, would you?"

"What was Stan Shunpike doing on the train?!" he demanded, as they danced back and forth, throwing jinx after jinx at one another. To his surprise, Draco managed to spin out of the way of his hex, and throw one right back his way. Harry missed it by mere inches.

"You know something, Draco," he went on. "I know it! I heard you saying that he'd failed. What was Stan supposed to do on the Hogwarts Express?"

Harry's curse made the door behind Draco explode inward. "I don't know," replied Draco, moving back.

"Yes, you do. Tell me!"

The train gave a lurch, suddenly. Both Harry and Draco were thrown off-balance as it began to move forward along the tracks. Harry raised up to see a look of horror cross over Draco's face.

"Potter, you dolt!" he screamed. "The train's moving. We're going to be trapped on here!"

Harry had to duck as Draco fired off one hex at him after another. "I can't be left on this train, Potter. I can't!"