Disclaimer : I do not own Harry Potter, the property of J. , or the Foundation, the property of Isaac Asimov
"-"=Characters normal dialogue;
" " =characters thoughts(or spells);
Italics = characters telepathic dialogue
Chapter seven
The bare necessities…will come to you
While Harry was heading to Dumbledore's office, Hermione and Palver were sitting on a desk in the school yard.
-Hey, how's going? Did you enjoy the potion classes?
-Oh, yes, of course…But, I really wanted to tell you something.
-What?
-Well, I think it is better to be more aware of some things which are happening here, on Hogwarts. You see, I've noticed that you have some skills regarding all magic aspects, and I thought maybe you should try help other students to learn how to defend themselves against dark magic, to use your powers on a good purpose not only to humiliate some nasty specimens lying in this school.
-Oh, thanks, Hermione, you're too kind. I am not as skilled as you are, for example. My powers are not magic, they're… something else. Strangely, I cannot remember very well how do I got them and why. I sense that something is missing. But anyway, maybe it is just a wrong feeling. Even though, when I am with you, I feel like I found a missing part of me.
-Really? Asked her and blushed again. Well I am happy to hear that from you. Maybe someday you will have time to show me some of your special skills? There are many students who would be very proud to posses such unique knowledge.
-Let me think. I guess that tomorrow, after herbology classes we will have some time to spare for that. Meanwhile, I think we can use our time in a more pleasant way, what do you think?
-Yes, we could. And maybe we should…
After the last phrase, Hermione fell into his arms and they spent a very interesting afternoon that day.
Harry arrived at Dumbledore's office, said the password and step into the headmaster's office.
Dumbledore was just sitting at the table and was writing something.
-Harry? What happened? Why did you came to my office so unexpectedly and not escorted by a teacher?
-Sir, you see, I wanted to discuss something with you. And if possible, without others to know it.
-Oh, I see. And what is so important that you want to tell me?
-Ahh…I wanted to speak with you about Palver and Trevize. We talked and he had a brilliant idea, that they may…how to put it…they said that if possible they would like to be in the Gryffindor house, in order to have a better collaboration with us.
-Harry, you know that is impossible. How could you have such a fool idea? Once sorted, there is no turning back. The hat knows better than anyone else. If it said that Palver belongs to the slytherin's, the so it will be. He may have some qualities that won't be appreciated at all in your house or by your friends. And besides that, you are making a good team even with a little distance between your goals.
In the dark forest, you've escaped well from those wild Dementors.
-How do you know about that? You were not even at school that day…at least so I've heard.
-Well, let's say I have my own methods to find out what is happening in my school. There is a lot of room for that… said him with a distinctive suggestive look, and with emphasis on the word "room".
-What do you mean by that?
-You will find out when the time will come, harry. Just have patience and be careful to those friends of yours. Maybe some of them are not what they seem to be.
And now if you don't mind, I have some registers to fill. If you don't have anything to tell me about that, you can go.
-No. I think in this case I should leave.
Harry left the office very disappointed of the turn things were taking and very confused about what meant Dumbledore about the room.
"He is always talking in riddles. How could I possible understand what he wants to say?
A room…maybe a chamber…a chamber like the one we encountered in the second year?
I have to talk with Hermione, she'll figure out all this mess."
When he got to this point in his decision, he arrived at the main Gryffindor quarters, and he found Ron very desolated sitting on a couch, thinking.
When he saw Harry, his face seemed to cheer up a little.
-Did Dumbledore accept your request?
-No, he said I should have known this is not possible. But he said a lot of things which I couldn't fully understand, and I thought Hermione will help us. By the way, where is her? Did she came back?
-You really had to remember me about that? Wasn't it enough the sight I've been watching a few minutes ago, with both of them sitting…. oh, never mind. What did Dumbledore say?
-He said Palver is not the kind of person I thought. I really have a good opinion about him now, and I do not explain why. Maybe I was influenced as many of us may still be.
And after that he said something I thought it may be related to a room I this school, but I do not know for sure.
-A room? A secret room? Like the chamber of secrets?
-Yes, I suppose it is secret. But I doubt it is as dangerous. Anyway, what use could it have?
- I don't know.
A moment later the door opened and Hermione entered the room, very cheerful.
Ron rose from the couch and broke the silence immediately:
-How was it? Was it nice?
-Ron, how can you be so mean? What are you talking about?
-What am I talking about? But if I think better …it is your choice, after all. I said what I had to say. Harry, if you want to talk to her, fell free to do it, I will go now. Bye.
And after his last words he turned his back to them and left the room.
-Harry, what is going on with Ron?
-Oh, nothing special, he may be just jealous, that's all. Anyway I wanted to tell you something.
-About what?
-I talked with Dumbledore and he said something about a secret room in this school...which can be used for many purposes. Do you have any idea what was he talking about?
-I think he was referring to the room of necessities, said her after a minute of thinking. Yes, that might be the one. It appears only when you really need it and it has some… fixed location but I am not so sure. But what business do you have there?
-It is the perfect room to make our plans and take some measures against our enemies.
-It is a good idea, Harry. And… you know that our courses of defense against dark magic have always been almost useless, taking into account what happened at Hogwarts since you came here.
And you've managed to defend yourself in a pretty admirable way. You could be a good teacher, Harry.
-Well, yes, but… we should also take into consideration that now we have a strong ally in Palver's person, and even Trevize. Only two persons powerful enough can do many things together, right?
-Harry, I am afraid there are not only two persons of this kind in the school right now.
-What do you mean? Did you encounter any other "mentalist"?
-No, but from what I've discussed with Palver, there may be.
-You "interrogated" him?
-In some way, yes. I have my own methods…said her and turned her look from Harry's eyes.
-Wait a second, do you mean that you got so close to him only to find out some things and to protect us?
-Initially, yes. And I am struggling to remain like that.
-But Ron thinks…
-I know what he thinks. He has all reasons to do that, though he should know that my feelings for him have not changed at all. If you think it's ok, you can tell him.
-He will be very happy to hear that…anyway thanks for the ideas, Hermione; you are and will always be the most clever of us.
-Thanks, Harry. But I told you once that there are things a lot more important that books and clever.
-I know that. Well, I guess it's late and we are all tired enough to rest a little.
-Ok, then we'll see tomorrow.
-Good night, Hermione, and take care of your.
-You too, Harry.
When the conversation was over, Harry almost run to his room and awaked Ron who was already snoring.
-Hey, Ron, wake up, I have something to tell you! Come on, it's important.
-What now? I've just fell asleep few minutes ago.
-It's about Hermione!
-What? Please, if Palver has anything to do with this, I don't want to hear.
-He has. Hermione is with him not because she loves him, although she may feel something, but because she wanted to find out more things about the foundation and to protect us against him and his friend, Trevize.
-Are you sure?
-Yes, she told me that a minute ago. She really cares about you, Ron.
-Ok, thanks Harry. You are a good friend.
-Oh, and another thing, there is a room called the room of necessities which appears in some place on the corridors and , if we find it, maybe we can use it.
-Brilliant, Harry. I knew Hermione is a genius! But we must be stealthy when we go looking for it.
-Aaa… I think there may be a problem with that. Remember the first night when the cloak got freezed?
-Yes, I do.
-I managed to bring it back to "life" but…after it received that red blade it turned into ashes and all I got left is a pot of ash. I don't know if we can still repair it, maybe Dumbledore will know.
-Then what we do?
-You know, Palver destroyed the cloak, he must repair his mistake. He must help us.
-But Harry, then he will be aware of the existence of the room too…
-So what? He is not one of our enemies… for now at least.
-Ok, then let's go and talk to him.
-Now? A few moments ago you were sleeping without any worries and now you are telling me to look for Palver, the man you would probably kill with cold blood a few seconds ago!
-Some things are meant to change, I guess. Anyway, let's go.
-Shouldn't we take Hermione too?
-No, let her go to sleep, she had a exhausting day, doesn't need any more dangers to feint off.
-Ok, then let's go find Palver.
A moment later they were leaving their quarters and looking for Palver, after a failed attempt in trying to call him mentally.
Fortunately, they arrived finally in the front of the slytherins access door and trying to guess the password.
-Ron, do you have a better idea ? We've tried a hundred passwords by now.
-Nope. But why not trying to find that room without him?
-Because we need some cover and we cannot have it without any cloak or some powers.
Suddenly they heard steps next to them and professor Snape appeared from behind a column.
-I think some students are not too sleepy this evening, oh yes… So what were you saying about that room?
Harry tried to improvise something but the only words coming from his mouth were:
-Nothing, sir..we were just talking about some stories we've heard…
-We'll see. Why won't you come into my office, if you don't mind? I have something for you...both of you.
