Chapter 6 Various Conversations
Harry felt a pair of hands shake him. Slowly his eyes flickered opened.
"Glasses..." Someone gave them to him. He looked around, recognizing the boy's dormitory in the Gryffindor tower.
How did I get up here? Oh yeah, I remember now. I left Dumbledore's office yesterday nigh, but…
How he managed to get back up to the tower, he had no idea.
"Harry, Harry! Are you alright mate?" He turned his head to see Ron staring at him.
"Yeah, I'm fine."
"What happened to you this summer? You know we were very worried about you—me, Hermione and the rest."
Harry snorted.
"Oh, nothing. Everything is fine."
Ron looked at him unbelievingly.
"You sure mate?"
"Yes, I am. I told you, I'm fine! Nothing happened in the summer. I just got tired of writing to people who wouldn't reply!"
Ron looked around. He didn't like the rough start between them.
"Alright, alright." Ron waved his hands defensively. He got up to leave.
"Now where are you going?"
"Breakfast, you want to come?"
"Sure, why not." The two boys got up to leave for breakfast.
"Hey Harry! Ron! Over here!" Hermione waved to them from the Gryffindor table. Ron sat down beside her, while Harry sat on the opposite side of them.
"So Harry, what happened in the summer? Why did you stop writing?"
"I just told Ron that nothing happened. Just got tired of writing to you guys that's all."
"That's not true. I know it's not."
"It is. Besides, I don't want to talk about it."
"Hey, here's this years schedules..." Ginny interrupted, handing them out. She sat down next to Hermione.
"Umm thanks."
"And oh Harry, here's your O.W.L. scores." Harry took the pack from her.
"You didn't receive your O.W.L.'s?"
"No..."
"Go open them." Harry did so. He skimmed the list.
Ordinary Wizarding Level Results
Pass Grades Fail Grades
Outstanding (O) Poor (P)
Exceeds Expectations (E) Dreadful (D)
Acceptable (A) Troll (T)
Harry James Potter has achieved:
Astronomy A
Care of Magical Creatures E
Defense Against the Dark Arts O
Divination P
Herbology E
History of Magic D
Potions E
Transfiguration E
"Only failed Divination and History of Magic, and who cares about them?" Ron said happily to Harry. "Knew you'll be top at Defense Against the Dark Arts." Ron continued, punching Harry on the shoulder.
"But it looks like you won't be taking Potions." Hermione said. "Snape doesn't accept anything less then an O from the students in his N.E.W.T. class.
Harry shrugged. Even though he and Snape were on better terms then before, it wasn't like taking Potions would help him in his plan to take over the world as the Dark heir. He could always have someone else brew potions for him. Of course it would be better if he had an excuse to see Snape, but some things just couldn't be helped.
At that moment the owls flew in to deliver the mail. A large, black owl landed in front of Harry. Harry recognized the owl at once, since it belonged to Voldemort.
"Who's that from?" Ron asked as Harry took the envelope.
"Um...no one..." Harry glanced up at the staff table. He met Dumbledore's and Snape's eyes. They both looked curious. Harry looked away, glancing back at the envelope.
On the front was written
Mr. H. Potter
Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry
Harry flipped it over. On the back was sealed with a serpent. He wondered if he should open it here.
"Go on, don't keep us waiting." Ginny spoke up.
"Yeah, open it mate."
Harry nodded, opening the envelope and then read the letter silently.
Thomas,
Don't worry. This is an enchanted letter. I've cast a spell so that only you can read it. It would look blank to any unwanted eyes.
Well to the point. I want to meet you at Hogwarts. Pick a place and time. I'll tell you everything tonight.
Send me your reply with my owl.
Lord Voldemort
"Harry, it's blank..."
"Yeah, who sent it to you?"
Harry looked up at Hermione.
"No idea. Hermione, you got a quill, ink and paper?" She nodded, pulling some out from her bag. He took it, writing his reply.
Father,
Received letter. Tonight, at midnight, in the Chamber of Secrets.
See you there,
Thomas
Harry carefully folded the letter, tied it onto the black owl and watched it fly away.
"What did you write?"
"Nothing. Just told whoever it was to stop sending me blank parchments."
"I see." Ginny got up. "Well see you guys later, I'm going to class."
"Yeah see you."
Both Ron and Hermione stood up.
"You coming Harry?"
"Yeah..." He glance down at his schedule and groaned. "Man, double Transfiguration and then double Defense Against the Dark Arts."
"At least Lupin's back."
"Yeah, at least Lupin's back." Harry agreed.
There was a moment of silence.
"Come on then, don't want to be late to Transfiguration." Hermione spoke up.
The group made it to her class just as the bell rang.
Two hours later, Harry stood up to leave, glad that class was over.
"Potter, a word with you."
Harry nodded.
"Hermione go on to Potions. Snape'll have your neck for being late. Ron go to your next class. I'll see you both at lunch."
"See you then mate." Ron said as he and Hermione headed off.
Professor McGonagall waited for the class to leave before talking to Harry.
"Potter, as you know, Angelina, Alicia, and the Weasley's have left."
"Yeah..."
"Then Quidditch…"
"I was banned Professor..."
"Umbridge won't know." She paused. "There are no beaters or keeper. We also need two more chasers."
"How about the other players? The most we need to do is replace 4 people."
"Well let me put it this way, there are only two remaining experienced members, the rest are new."
"I know..."
"The point is I'm making you the Quidditch captain."
"Me? Why not Katie?"
"She's leaving next year, I don't want to keep switching captains."
"Oh"
"Which means I'll be leaving you to reform the Qudditch team."
"What's wrong with the…?"
"I'll tell you what's wrong! Besides you and Katie, they're all like Ron. You haven't forgotten about the whole "Weasley is our King" ordeal, have you?"
Harry shook his head, indicating that he still remembered.
"Why can't Katie, do it?"
"Because you are Captain. Besides, I think James would be very proud of you."
"Fine." Harry turned to leave, but paused as she called out to him.
"Potter..."
"Yeah?"
"I think you would need this." She took out his Firebolt and handed it to him. "This belongs to you. This is the best broom there is so treasure it. Don't let it hit the Whomping Willow."
"I won't."
"Good." she paused. "By the way Harry, who sent this broom to you, I mean it just showed up, right when you needed it the most."
"My godfather, Sirius..."
She gripped his arm. He shook her off.
"I'm sorry Harry, I shouldn't have asked."
"It's all right Professor. I don't want to talk about it. I don't want to talk about what happened a couple of months ago."
With that said, he shrunk his broom, placed it in his pocket before he turned around to leave. He had walked halfway to the dungeons where he wanted to talk to Snape, when something drew his attention.
"Hey Michael. Please I've got to get to class," a voice said.
Knowing the voice, he headed towards it.
"Michael, I really need to get to class."
"No Cho, tell me why you've been avoiding me." Michael Conner had Cho Chang cornered.
"Michael, I can't talk to you right now. I need to get to class."
"Binns won't mind."
"Well I do."
"Tell me why, and I'll let you go."
"Michael..."
"Expelliarmus!" Harry cried out, pulling out his wand after he had said the spell. Michael fell backwards. When he landed, he turned around to see Harry standing behind him.
"Stay away from her Conner."
Michael seemed surprised.
"STUPEFY!"
Conner fell back, slamming onto the wall, face first.
"Potter...Potter..." was all Conner managed to say before he was frozen.
"You got that Conner? You mess with Cho, you're messing with me. You got a problem with that Conner, cause I could fix it. DIFFNDO!"
Conner's bag split open before everything fell out.
"Well looks like you'll be busy." Harry paused. "Come on Cho, let's get out of here."
Harry threw Connors wand back to him and unstuned him. Cho glanced back at Michael before leaving with Harry. The two remained silent for a while.
"Um Harry, thanks for..."
"It's nothing."
Cho stopped. Harry turned to face her.
"I mean, you're alone now, Cedric's gone. I'm not going to let anything happen to you. You understand that?"
"Thanks Harry, you don't know how much this means to me." She paused, and started to walk again. Harry followed behind her.
"Cho, what is your next class?" Harry asked, after awhile.
"Binns..."
"You want me to walk you up, it's no problem. I don't want Conner to get to you again." She slowly shook her head.
"You'll be late..."
"I'm on break. I was just heading to Snape to speak to him about something."
"I guess I could walk you there, it's just on the other side of the hall." Cho said.
Harry blushed.
"Well thanks, but only if you are sure."
The two headed to the dungeons in silence, each enjoying the other's company. When they were near, Harry swore when he noticed that class hadn't started and that the students were still waiting outside.
"Oh...Potter and Chang! Potter and Chang!" Pansy Parkinson shrieked, as the two passed by the Slytherins. Cho blushed red. Harry glared at Pansy.
"Well Harry, I'll see you later. Keep in touch."
Harry nodded as Cho left for her class.
When Cho was out of earshot, Harry rounded on Pansy.
"Yeah so what? You got a problem with that?"
Malfoy stepped in front of her, followed by Crabbe, and Goyle.
"Yeah Potter. I've got a problem with that."
Hermione who had just noticed Harry, grasped onto him.
"Easy Harry, easy..." Hermione whispered. "Why are you here anyways? You don't have Potions."
Harry shrugged her off. He went and pulled Malfoy by the collar, lifting him above the ground.
"Never mess with me again Malfoy. Cruico!"
Malfoy started to shriek in pain, as he struggled to break free of the curse. Harry lifted it instantly, watching the other twitch on the floor.
"Remember that Malfoy, never mess with me again."
"I'll tell father. He'll get you for this." Malfoy said panting.
The door to the dungeons suddenly flew open with Snape billowing out.
"What is all this? Potter why are you here? You did not pass…"
Harry turned to Snape, meeting his eyes. Snape inclined his head slightly.
"I'm afraid there must be an misunderstanding. I need Potions. I'm expected to become an Auror, but how can I do so, without taking Potions?"
Snape eyed him, not knowing what to say. Luckily he didn't have to say anything as Draco interrupted.
"Professor...Professor...Potter he...he...he used an unforgivable!"
Snape's eyes became slit like as he furthered studied Harry.
"Is that so?" Snape finally acknowledged Draco's concern.
"Perhaps," was Harry's reply. He gave his Potion Professor a look that challenged the other's authority over him, waiting to see what the other would do.
"Because of Potter's insolence, I am forced to cancel class for today. As a Professor, I must properly deal with this matter of utmost importance."
No one moved. Everyone stared blankly at Snape.
"Class is canceled!" Snape raised his voice, this time effectively causing the others to scatter. When everyone was gone, Snape walked down the hall to his office. Harry followed behind him.
"Young master," Snape now bowed fully to him after he had locked the office and placed a silencing charm. He then straightened up, staring down at his student with an unreadable mask.
Harry carefully studied the man before him.
"We need to talk Snape." Harry said at last. "Lunch is in about an hour or so, so I'll be blunt. I do not wish to miss any of it."
"And what exactly is it that we need to speak of?"
"Shall we start with your loyalties?" Harry said softly.
"I am loyal to the Dark Lord." Snape said evenly, his face still unreadable. Then man then hesitated before adding "and in turn, I will be loyal to you."
"I'm placing much faith on that statement Snape." Harry murmured. "I hope I can trust you. I know you know Occlumency, but do not think this will protect you. Over the summer I have master the skill, in fact I have mastered Legilmency as well. Never forget that. I know you are part of the Order and I know you are part of the Inner Circle. You should consider whose side to be loyal to for there will be a time when the Final Battle will arrive and when it does, you can only fight for one side."
"I am a Death Eater. My only goal is to strive to be the best."
"Don't ever let me question that loyalty. If I do then…" Harry trailed off, letting the man think of the consequences.
"As you are well aware Snape," Harry began again, changing the topic. "I will not be allowed to take N.E.W.T. potions."
"Shall I change the policy?" Snape asked, glad that they weren't talking about loyalties anymore.
"No, that will be too suspicious. I do not want anyone to think that you're doing it for me, especially for me. If you did, Dumbledore would have your head and the rest of the school would be wondering why you did it."
"That's reasonable. However, you did come here to add, did you not?"
"That was a distraction." Harry corrected. "But this does pose as a problem. In case anything happened, I would have no reason to contact you. In fact, I have no business to be around you."
"What do you propose, young Master?"
"Remedial Potions." Harry smirked.
"But you already mastered…"
"No one knows I mastered it." Harry murmured. "Dumbledore would think you'll be teaching me Occulumency and he wouldn't be able to say anything about it, as he did order it. Everyone else will merely agree, as I did fail potions."
"Clever." Snape responded. "Then a time shall be arranged."
"Not necessary. Like I said, it's only an excuse. We'll use it when it is necessary. Besides, it also isn't good for Dumbledore to see me around you too much. He'll get suspicious, especially with private lessons."
"Yes of course."
Again silence fell between them.
"This morning at breakfast, father sent me a letter." Yet again Harry changed the subject.
"And what is young Master's orders?"
"I want to make sure Moaning Myrtle's bathroom is empty tonight at midnight, that no students or teachers are on that floor at all."
Snape looked at him wearily.
"Wandering at night is not good young Master."
"It is none of your business. Just make sure..."
"Yes young Master..."
Harry turned to leave. However, he paused at the door.
"I cannot stress this enough. Be wise in choosing your loyalties. Don't disappoint me."
"Yes, young Master..."
With that Harry left Snape to think about were his loyalties lay.
Harry emerged from the dungeons to eat lunch with Ron and Hermione.
"One more class left." Ron said happily.
"Yes..." Harry sighed.
"So you and Cho are together again?"
"Yeah, I think so."
Ron grinned.
"That's great Harry." Hermione added.
"Um Harry..."
Harry looked up to see Cho standing by them.
"Well excuse me guys." He got up and left the group.
"Yeah Cho, what is it?"
"Nothing much, just wanted to see you."
"Oh..."
The two strolled through the hallways together.
"You know Harry, what happened last summer? I was really worried. I mean after you stopped writing..."
Harry sighed.
"Nothing really, you stopped first."
"That was because Conner was jealous. He didn't want me to see other guys."
"Then I suppose we shouldn't be seen together." Harry sounded sad.
"But that isn't the point. I actually want to see you. That's why I've been avoiding him over the summer. To tell you the truth I wanted to see how much you cared for me, to see if you would get jealous if I went out with someone else."
"Well I have to admit I am."
"I know, and you did exactly what I wanted you to do." She clung onto his arm, leaning on his shoulder. Harry continued to walk with her, until classes began again.
"Cho, what do you have next?"
"Charms."
"I'll walk you there."
Cho smiled at him. She nodded and the two walked hand in hand to Flickwick's classroom.
As like before, similar to the Slytherins, a group of Ravenclaw girls, the ones that followed Cho around, giggled as Cho and Harry passed by.
"Oh, look, Potter and Chang..." they whispered.
"Hey! So what if Potter's going out with Chang, you got a problem with that?"
Harry turned to see the Gryffindor chaser Katie Bell.
"Thanks Katie..."
She smiled at him.
"No, problem Harry." She paused. "Hey Cho..."
"Hey..."
"Well see you guys later, have to get to class. Lupin might like me, but I don't want to be late. See you Cho! See you Katie!"
"See you Harry!" Cho waved back at him.
As it turned out, Harry was late to class.
"Well Harry hurry up, class has started. Why are you late?" Lupin asked.
"Um...cause I was...was..."
Professor Lupin looked sideways at him, waiting for an explanation.
"Bathroom..." he muttered, before taking his seat, in between Ron and Hermione. Lupin didn't look like he believed him, but he didn't make any more comments either.
Defense Against the Dark Arts ended up passing by the quickest. It was the only class that Harry looked forward to and was disappointed that it was over. Even though he was deeply influenced by the Dark Arts now, knowing the defensive spells would not do any harm.
Like in his last class, Lupin called him to stay behind. Both Ron and Hermione lingered behind, hoping that he wouldn't mind.
"Off you go Ron, Hermione. I need to talk to Harry alone." Lupin said.
"Come on, we can stay to. We're his best friends you know." Ron complained. Hermione, having a better mind, pulled Ron off. Lupin gave her a thankful nod.
"You should leave. I want to talk to him alone." Harry added. "I'll find you guys later."
"If you say so mate."
Harry nodded, watching his friends leave.
"Harry, how are you? You alright?" Lupin asked, pulling up a chair and sitting down by his side. Knowing Lupin, the question wasn't as simple as it appeared.
"It still gets to me, I don't want to talk about it really..." Harry got up to leave.
"Sit down Harry. We need to talk. You need to talk about your feelings and emotions, don't keep it inside." He paused, as Harry sat back down. "I know this isn't easy for you, having lost your parents and now Sirius. I want you to know that I'm still here for you, that I still care."
"You don't..."
"Yes, I do. Of course I do."
"Then why didn't you reply throughout the summer? Then why was I once again left clueless?"
"I'm sorry Harry, I know I should have written to you. I feel I should be the one to take responsibility of you." Remus tried to explain. "I was busy..."
"See busy! Everyone's always too busy for me."
"Tell me Harry, how can I make it up to you?" The boy did not reply. He watched as Lupin took out a packet.
"This was the reason I was busy Harry."
Harry took the packet and opened it.
Inside was a photo album. Harry flipped through it, his jaw immediately dropping. The pictures he saw all included James, Lily, Sirius and Lupin, as teenagers and adults.
"It was all I could find Harry. I had asked the Order for pictures, except they weren't much help. I had to find them all myself. I hope this makes you feel better."
"Moony, I don't know how I could thank you." He leapt up and hugged the old man. "You have no idea how much this means to me."
"Consider it as your 16 year old birthday present." Lupin said as he released Harry. "Now Harry, you know I care about you. Now that Sirius is gone, I hope you could look up to me, not just as a teacher, but as another father, godfather, brother, whatever you like me to be."
"Of course Moony."
Lupin fingered Harry's hair.
"You can always talk to me. You can always count on me. I'll always be here when you need me. I want you to know that I'll risk everything for you, I have no regrets."
Harry felt happy, knowing there were still people out there who still cared for him, who still loved him.
Harry carefully put on his invisibility cloak. He studied the Marauder's Map, making sure that his path to Moaning Myrtle's bathroom was clear.
"Good, there's no one." He quickly left the common room, heading to meet his father.
/Open/ Harry hissed softly at the entrance to the Chamber of Secrets. He watched as the sink parted. Taking a deep breath, he enters the chamber.
/Close./ He watched as the sink closed, before taking the familiar path that he took in his 2nd year to rescue Ginny.
The chamber was still the same as he remembered it, so were the pillars and the lighting. In the middle of it all Harry could make out a large figure that was curled up. He stepped closer realizing who it was.
/Nagini, why are you here? Where is father?/
The snake looks up at him.
/I've been sent to watch over you young Master.../
/How do you think you can do that? Where are you going to hide?/
/The pipes./
Harry smiled.
"Thomas." Harry spun around.
"Father?" He didn't see anyone. "Father where are you?"
A high pitched voiced laughed.
"I am everywhere son, thought you would notice that by now."
"I know, but physically you are not here, are you?"
"Of course not, I'm safe inside my chamber."
"I didn't expect you to show up here at Hogwarts."
"I can if I wanted to."
"But don't, I don't want anything to happen to you."
There was a moment of silence.
"Well now, I don't have much time. I need to tell you what I have planed."
"What? Oh I know, you want to take over the world."
"Of course, but we have a long way to go and a lot of things to do before then."
"Like what?"
"We need to plan this out."
"How?"
"First of all, Dumbledore needs to be out of the picture. Then we can take over Hogwarts. After that, everything is ours for the taking."
"That old man, shouldn't be a problem."
"He's the first step. He'll put up a good fight, I expect, but he has a weakness."
"A weakness?" Harry questioned.
"Yes, once we take away whatever that is precious to him, then ideally, he'll do anything to get them back, right?"
"Them?"
"Yes, innocent people."
"I see, then what can I do?" Harry asked as he laughed.
"You can always keep me informed and you can start by building your reputation as my son."
"You mean I should..."
"Do whatever is necessary to build a name that the whole world would one day fear."
"Do whatever is necessary." Harry repeated.
"And you can search for your own supporters, or search for more people to join the Dark Arts."
"Good idea."
/Nagini, take care of him for me./ Lord Voldemort addressed the snake.
/Yes Master.../
"Thomas, I'll keep in touch with you soon, goodbye for now."
"Bye father."
There was no reply.
/Nagini, I'm leaving. I have to go back to the common room./
/Yes master./
Harry patted her once before leaving the chamber, his mind still on the conversation he just had with his father.