Hello Readers, so sorry about the long wait between updates, and I have one word to explain the wait. College. I underestimated the amount of work I would have to do during the first few weeks, so I've only been able to write any of this late at night, at my job, when no one is around. Anyways, as of right now, I have 21 reviews, 2 C2's, 63 Favs, and 97 Follows. Thank you all so much for the reviews on the last chapter, and while this chapter might not have much action, it will explain things. As always, Reviewer responses will be at the bottom, and I hope you enjoy.
I do not own Harry Potter in any way, shape, or form. If I did, he would have started showing that he was going through puberty around third year, rather then fifth.
Chapter 6: Explanations.
Harry froze in shock at Dumbledore's words. While the rest of Gryffindor was politely cheering for the two apprentices, Harry was trying to work out how he could have gotten picked for something he didn't enter. He wasn't able to think for long however, as a hand was place on his shoulder.
"Mate, I know this is a shock, but you have to go," the voice of Ron Weasley said. "You remember what Dumbledore said, you're magically bound to do this now. We will figure this out later, it will be like another mystery for us to solve."
"But, I don't want to do this," Harry responded. "I wanted this to be a normal school year, with us watching the Tri-Wizard Tournament. I don't want to be a Curse-Breaker or anything. And Hermione will be even more pissed at me if I go through with this." A sigh was heard next to him, along with someone walking towards him.
"I know Harry, but I'll try to talk her down. You have to get going though, like I said, we'll figure this out later."
A sigh passed through Harry's lips as the sound of a door opening and closing made it's way through the hall. Standing up himself, he began to make his way through the Great Hall, which was slowly becoming light again as candles began to light themselves. By the time he reached the door every other Apprentice had gone through, the Hall was fully lite again, and everyone was staring at him. Feeling himself become slightly embarrassed, he quickly went through the door and closed it behind him, leaving him in a brightly lit hallway.
With a deep breath, Harry made his way through the hall, feeling tense as he went back to wondering how he was entered in all of this. Remembering how Ron said his signature in blood was needed, he thought back to any instance where someone would have gotten his blood. Quickly dismissing Sirius as being responsible, as he was stuck wherever he was hidden, he thought back to all those times he spent in the hospital wing.
"Well, that narrows it down a lot," he snorts sarcastically. "I have no clue why the Headmaster or any of the teachers would want me in this. Though Snape might do it just so he doesn't have to deal with me for most of the year. I'm really going to have to talk with Sirius about this though. He may have some idea on how to help me out of this, but I guess I'll just have to deal with it until then." Drawing himself out of his musing, Harry realized that he was right in front of the door leading to another room. Taking a deep breath, Harry opened the door and walked inside.
The second he started to walk in the room, attracting the attention of everyone in it. Realizing that they were obviously waiting for him, Harry's eyes darted around the room quickly, making sure to take note of everyone's appearance now that the light was better.
The first person that he noticed was his fellow Gryffindor and Quidditch teammate, Katie Bell. She looked pretty much the same as she had last year, except for the fact that she seemed to have grown some.
The next person that he noticed, who was giving him barely even a glance at his entrance, was the Ravenclaw Quidditch Captain, Roger Davies. Now that he could see him in better light, it was obvious that nothing really seemed to change about his appearance since the last he saw him. However, like he detected in the hall, he seemed to have a slight air of satisfaction, and superiority.
He then turned to look at the Hufflepuff girl that he knew nothing about, Clarissa Wilson. Now that he could see her closer up, and in a better light, he could safely say that he was right before when he thought that she was cute. While she didn't look like someone who would stand out in a crowd, she seemed to have this air of excitement around her. Apparently, he was caught with his observing of her, and she turned to look at him. She gave him a slight smile, before turning away from him.
His gaze then fell onto the other of the two unknowns to him, the sixth year Slytherin Lucien Chance. The boy hadn't even turned to give him so much as a glance; instead his gaze was focused on the flickering firelight that was the main source of light for the room. His features though, were now more illuminated for Harry to see. His face, while it held some of that regal look most purebloods had, seemed thinner then should be normal. His black hair was straight, very much unlike Harry's, and it framed a very pale face, and what appeared to be purple eyes.
Harry shook himself out of wondering how someone's eyes could be purple, and remembered that this person was a Slytherin, and couldn't be trusted. Even if he hadn't even acknowledged him, Harry had picked up from his three years in Gryffindor that the quiet Slytherins were the ones to watch out for.
Speaking of Slytherins, Harry's gaze was drawn to the only person in the room that was actually glaring at him, Daphne Greengrass. Now that he had a closer view of her, he mentally confirmed that she was indeed probably one of the best looking girls in the school. However, it was at this time to, that he realized he was fully experiencing her icy glare for the first time. That glare sent a shiver up Harry's spine and he turned away to try and escape it, the glare seemingly changing her face from pretty, to terrifying.
"I'm surprised that you even entered to become and Apprentice Potter," she said in a quiet, but clearly icy voice. "I don't know why you entered, you have never shown any interest in anything but Quidditch and those friends of yours before. I truly hope that you take this as seriously as you do those other things. If you mess up and end up costing anyone here anything, I will curse you bad enough that you are sent back here." Her piece said, Daphne turned her back on Harry, leaving him standing there in a mixture of shock, and fear.
"Hello Harry Potter," a dreamy voice said from right next to him, causing him to jump some in surprise. "You have many Wrackspurts around your head, I'm not really sure why though. I am pretty sure that they will all be gone by the beginning of winter, though they will get worse first. Also, don't worry about being sent back here either, things will mellow out before the temple."
Harry finally snapped himself out of his surprise, and confusion, to look at the source of the voice that had now begun to ramble on about something called the Rotfang conspiracy. He was mildly surprised that the youngest of the Apprentices, Luna Lovegood. After taking a brief moment to wonder how she got so close to him without his noticing, and what she was talking about, he began to look her over more closely. As he observed before, she was short, even more so then him. Her short blonde hair, strangely enough, had various things in it. Varying from simple pencils, to what looked like an actual crab.
He was ready to ask what was with all the things in her hair when attention was turned, as was he, to the only other Apprentice he knew, Ernie Macmillan.
"Hello Harry, quite the surprise to see you here," he said politely. "Though, I honestly am surprised I ended up here to. I mean, in the beginning I just entered because the chance of becoming and Apprentice was to great to pass up."
"Yea, I guess it was," Harry said nervously. Having determined that he wasn't going to get out of this, he figured he might as well use it as a learning experience. "I mean, I guess I wasn't expecting to get into this either. I haven't even looked at Runes before, so I'm probably going to not be that much help."
"Actually Harry, I doubt that very much," a familiar voice said. Turning quickly, Harry soon found himself looking at the oldest of the Weasley brothers, Bill. "The runes taught here are all just old languages. While they might be useful in translating things you may find, they won't be as much help as many people think. But, more on that later."
~~Bill's POV~
That said, Bill walked from his place in the doorway to right in front of the fireplace, drawing everyone's attention to him as he did so. Bill was wearing similar clothing to what Harry last saw him in. Harry wondered for a second why he was here, when he remembered that Bill was a Curse-Breaker. Harry opened his mouth to say something when Bill raised a hand, causing him to stop and look to see that some of the others in the group were ready to say something as well.
"First off, I'm sure that you all have questions about who I am, and what is going to be happening now," he began. "However, I'm guessing that answering all the questions would take all night, something we do not have. So, I would like for you to hold off until tomorrow at least, alright?" Bill looked at the group in front of him, smirking some at the muttering and glares he was getting for cutting them off.
"Okay now, first things first. I am Bill Weasley, and from this point on, you are all my apprentices. That pretty much means that if I say for you to do something, you will do it. You can question me all you want, but it likely won't be a good idea given how dangerous being a Curse-Breaker is. There is a good chance that you could get seriously injured or die if you don't listen to me. I may not have been doing this long, but I do know what I'm doing."
Pausing in his speech, Bill's gaze swept over the group of students in front of him. While all four of the sixth years had grim, but determined looks on their face's, it was the younger one's he was worried about. The Hufflepuff boy, Ernie he remembered from what Professor Sprout said, looked very nervous and regretful. Luna still had her dreamy expression, which didn't bother Bill as he was used to it from how often she had once stayed over the Burrow.
The Slytherin girl, Daphne if he remembered correctly from Snape's threat about keeping his snakes safe, showed no expression on her face. He had to admit, in his head at least, that it slightly disturbed him at how calm she was acting. Given that she was an heiress though, Occlumency may explain the blank look. Bill's gaze then went to Harry, the person he was most worried about.
When he was informed by the Goblins what his latest assignment was, he had to admit he was surprised. Generally these kinds of things were reserved for the more experienced Curse-Breaker's. However, apparently the Goblins owed Dumbledore a favor, and the Headmaster wanted him leading this little group. Dumbledore had made it quiet clear what his plans were, and it disturbed Bill a little at how Harry was pretty much being forced into this. In the end though, he accepted, knowing it would mean a lot more prestige for him if he had succeeded in this.
Drawing himself out of his thoughts, Bill began to speak again, drawing everyone out of their thoughts.
"Anyways, first I would like to say that I am surprised that three fourth-years, and a third-year were chosen by the Goblet. That means that you for are either very powerful for your age, have some kind of special ability, or have already started to develop your affinities. We will be testing all of those things later though, so don't worry about it for now."
Clearing his throat, he continued.
"Okay, now I think that I will give you our timeline for all of this. Things are going to be split up over the next four months until Yule, which is when the contract binding you to be my apprentice ends. During the first month, we are going to be camping out in a forest. While there, we will get through whatever work your Professors assign you, as well as training you all so you can hold your own. Also, we are going to be working on building at least some form of trust between all of you. To many good Curse-Breakers have died because they don't get along with each other. Before that though, we are going to be stopping by Diagon Alley so you can all get supplies for the camping trip, as I doubt anyone is adequately prepared."
Noticing that Daphne was about to speak up, Bill discreetly sent a Silencing charm at her, which resulted in her huffing in frustration.
"After that, things will become more routine. We will be doing work on at least three different ruins, taking a three-day break at Hogwarts between each one. With a good amount of luck, you should all still be able to see the Tri-Wizard tournament happen."
Seeing Harry and Ernie get ready to speak up as well, he sighed a bit before casting two more Silencing charms, causing confused looks from both.
"Well, that is pretty much everything that is going to be said tonight. I'll give you all a more detailed lecture on what to expect is going to happen when we get to the campsite tomorrow. I expect you all to be at the Gates of Hogwarts by noon, with all your assigned work and trunks, so we can catch the portkey I ordered. If you are late, for any reason that isn't good enough, you will be punished. As I said before, you are all my apprentices now, so what I say goes."
Bill then smirked some and began to make his way out of the room.
~~Normal POV~~
"Daphne, Ernie, and Harry, consider the Silencing Charms I put on you punishment for trying to interrupt me. I am easy going, you know that Harry, but I also take my job very seriously. Your lives are in my hands now, so you need to listen from now on. The charms will have worn off by morning, I will see you all then." With that, Bill exited the room, followed shortly after by Claire, Katie, Lucien, and Roger, which were giving them smirks of amusement.
Slightly red with embarrassment, the fourth years, and Luna, left the room quickly, separating almost as soon as they could.
As Harry began to make his way to Gryffindor tower, he was hit with the realization that Hermione likely was going to be even angrier with him now that he had become an Apprentice and she hadn't. Hoping that Ron would manage to calm her down, or that everyone was already asleep, he approached the Fat Lady and paused, wondering how he would get in.
"Don't worry, Ms. Bell explained your punishment," the portrait said with a slight smirk. "Though, both of Mr. Weasley's also heard, so maybe you should worry." With a light chuckle, the portrait hole swung open, revealing a semi-crowded common room, from which two pairs of hands emerged and pulled him in.
"Well look what we have here Fred," the jovial voice of George said. "Harry here has decided to try his hand at the noble career that our dear brother Bill chose."
"I must admit I am impressed by his decision," Fred replied. "Bill's told us all about how serious and dangerous his job is. Yet Harry here is obviously a braver man than us to take on such a dangerous career."
"Though, it shouldn't be all that bad," George, said with a large grin. "If what Bill said is true, then Curse-Breaker's get all the girls. Maybe that is why Harry chose to do this all."
Seeing Harry's red face and useless attempts to talk, the twins both laughed, with everyone that was still in the Common Room laughing to.
"Judging by Harry's silence, I'd say we hit the nail right on the head dear twin of mine," Fred said, causing more laughter. "Harry here is finally growing up. We're going to have to make sure we've got some birds before Harry get's back, or they are all going to be taken by his Curse-Breaker charms and we won't have any shot."
"I don't know Fred," George said with waggling eyebrows. "Harry will already be working with some very attractive girls as it is. Maybe we won't have to worry to much and he will get with one of them instead."
The Common Room laughed again, much to Harry's embarrassment, before Fred and George gave a quick bow and pulled Harry towards a corner.
"Now in all seriousness Harry," Fred said, with a slightly concerned voice. "Bill did tell us when he first got the job how dangerous this all was. You are like the younger brother we've always wanted. Well, more then Ron anyways. Though we may not show it, we are pretty smart even though we only got a handful of OWL's a piece. We just choose to focus on our jokes."
"That is why, we are going to be gifting to you a notebook with all of our, experimental, spells tomorrow before you leave," George said in a similar tone. "They would mostly be used as a diversion in the worst case, but they could still be helpful. And all that we ask for in return is that we can use the Marauder's map while you are gone."
Harry was taken off guard by their sudden serious tones but quickly thought over what they said. Given their seriousness, and Bill's before, and knowing his luck, it was quiet likely that he could be in danger. The Twins were also brilliant, in a strange sort of way, and since he likely wouldn't be getting any help from Hermione, who he still needed to talk to, they could be a great help to him. Having decided, he quickly nodded his head, to the grins of both of them.
"Well then, I'm glad that's decided on," Fred replied. "We will have a copy of our notebook ready for you tomorrow. Katie already told us when you are leaving, so we will see you then." That said, both twins began to make their way towards the boy's dorm before they turned around.
"Oh, and one more thing," they said in unison. "We advise that you watch out for that Slytherin you are with, Lucien. We have been in some of the same classes as him these past six years, and he is scary smart. Try not to get on his bad side." The twins then went up the stairs, leaving a confused Harry behind.
Harry didn't stay downstairs for too much longer, having not seen Ron or Hermione anywhere, and decided to head up to bed. Mentally cursing that he wouldn't have time to talk to Sirius tonight, he let out a silent gasp of surprise when he ran into Ron, who appeared to be leaving their dorms.
"Finally Harry," he said in an exasperated tone. "I've been waiting up here for you for a while now. Where have you been?"
Harry didn't even bother trying to answer, instead motioning to his neck and making a couple of gestures that said he couldn't talk, much to Ron's confusion.
"Okay, so you had to go to the Hospital wing then because something happened to your voice," he asked confusedly. "Whatever, I suppose that means you can't talk about what is going on tonight. I can wait until tomorrow, that is, if you can speak by then."
Harry wanted to slap himself at how Ron thought he had to go to the Hospital Wing, but decided against it so he wouldn't have to suffer any embarrassment. He then began to make motions with his hands again, trying to ask about Hermione.
"Okay, so you want to talk about your hair," Ron said confusedly. "What, no? Okay then, it has to do with hair though right? Okay, and something to do with a book. And a girl." It took Ron a couple of minutes before he realized what, or whom, Harry was trying to ask about. "Oh, you want to know about Hermione right?"
Harry let out a sigh of relief and nodded his head, before noticing the look on Ron's face. It was a mixture of frustration, and some sadness.
"She's denying the whole idea that you became an Apprentice," he said in a dark tone. "Said that there is no way you could be one, something about you not taking the right classes or being smart enough. Thankfully she's accepted that she didn't get in, but she just won't accept that you did. Her and I had a bit of a row about it when everyone got back from the announcement; she looked like she had been crying recently. But you know how she is; she always thinks she is right. So, I wouldn't be surprised if she gets really angry, really fast when she realizes that you did get in."
After hearing all of that, Harry's face was a mixture of emotions. On one hand, he was beyond angry that Hermione thought he wasn't smart or good enough to become and Apprentice, even if he didn't enter his own name. But on the other hand, he was also disappointed. Disappointed that he was growing apart from one of his friends, and might actually be losing one. Giving Ron a pat on the shoulder and smile for him what he wanted to know, he made his way towards his bed.
Flopping down onto it, not even bothering to change clothes, he heard a mumbled "Night," from Ron as he went into bed as well. Harry laid in bed awake for a while, wondering how much more things could spiral away from what he had wanted this year to originally be. Having already accepted the fact that he was in this, he decided to get to sleep now so he wouldn't be late tomorrow. Thankfully for him, he hadn't unpacked most of his things though, so that was one less worry for him. As he began to drift off to sleep, his last thoughts were of what kind of things he would have to face during his time as a Curse-Breaker.
Far away, sitting in a throne like chair of a dark room illuminated only by the green glow of a fir, the homunculus form of Lord Voldemort sat with a contemplative look on his face. One of his most loyal servants, Barty Crouch Jr., was telling him how their plans were now ruined. Potter had somehow ended up getting tied up in another magical contract, despite Barty's best efforts, and wouldn't be able to participate in the Tri-Wizard Tournament.
"We will have to change our plans Barty," Voldemort said in a hissing voice. "The fact Potter won't be in the tournament makes my plans for resurrection impossible now. We are going to have to move on to plan B instead."
"Of course my Lord," the head of Barty said from the fire. "I will take my leave of Hogwarts immediately, and begin to gather the components required for your resurrection."
The Dark Lord Voldemort sat there in silence for a moment before speaking up.
"Good Barty, you truly are my most loyal. Once you have gathered all the ingredients required for our backup plan, you will need to make one more stop. Near where I am residing right now, there is an old house that you must visit. Your Dark Mark will allow you to get through all of the wards. Inside this house, underneath the floorboards, there is a box that you must bring to me. Do not open the box; what is inside is of great value to me. Make sure this is all done by the Winter Solstice, that will be the best time for me to undertake my rebirth."
"As you wish my Lord," Barty replied, before his head left the fire. His most loyal servant gone, Voldemort lost his calm expression and his face twisted into a look of furry.
"Wormtail," Voldemort screamed in a voice full of fury. Wormtail quickly scrambled into the room, looking terrified.
"Y-Yes My Lord," he asked, looking like he would rather be anywhere but here.
Voldemort didn't respond for a minute, simply glaring at Wormtail with a look of rage before raising his wand. "I need to let out some fury," he spoke. "Crucio!" Wormtails screams filled the room, much to Voldemort's relief, and would continue to do so throughout the night.
Well, that's it for this chapter. Once again, I'm sorry for the long gap between my posting, I seriously underestimated my College workload. Also, I apologize if this chapter seems kind of everywhere. Like I said before, the only time I really have to work on this are late at night at my job. That means that there is sometimes where it's been days since I last worked on it, meaning I may have lost a train of thought. Also, I was half asleep some of the times, so there is that.
Anyways, that's enough of my problems, now onto Reviewer's Response!
crystaldove: Hermione will be upset, but I plan on putting her through the five stages of grief I think it's called. Though, she will be stuck on a certain stage in the end. And Ron may get a little annoyed with Harry, but it won't be for those reasons that you said. As for Sirius and the blood, Harry already dismissed him doing this.
anarion87, momocolady and lord Hephaestus: Thanks for the positive support.
Emma-girl and HexyMama: Hermione's reaction is going to be a little bit in next chapter, but it will likely be spread out over the time Harry is at Hogwarts between expeditions.
Guest: Thanks, I'm trying to go for originality and avoid some clichés, though that is very hard. Harry will be learning some good magic this year, hopefully it is unique in respect to other stories. And I can see canon Hermione acting this way to, Harry is just opening his eyes to her behavior now.
Well, that's it for this chapter. I am going to try my hardest to get the next chapter up, which will be the next morning, and trip to Diagon Alley. As always, reviews are appreciated, but not necessary. If you find yourself to shy or lazy to post a review, fav or following the story works to. See ya next time!