Chapter 10
The Darkened Corridor

Harry refused to attend anymore detentions with Dumbledore after that, even though the man seemed to give him detention every time they ran across each other. The headmaster intervened in the end, unhappy with the teacher's treatment of his new favorite student. Harry knew Dumbledore wanted to speak to him, but he refused to be left alone with the man. He ended up having to drop Transfiguration and transferred over to Ancient Runes, also signing up for Herbology. The less time he had to think about things, the better.

He was aware that he was sporting some rather fetching circles under his eyes, though he didn't care. Anyone unfortunate enough to tell him to get some rest or other such nonsense was growled at, threatened, and - once - cursed until they ran way.

His "friends" had decided to take the matter into their own hands and somehow he had been conned into babysitting a very sick Leo, who had deemed it the perfect time to go over their family tree. He was also rather determined to have Harry memorize every single detail, until Harry was positively sure his brain was leaking out from his ears. Not to be deterred, Leoned continued on about one of their ancestor's great deeds. Though to Harry, it sounded like fairy tales. A princess trapped in a tower? He was convinced he'd heard the tale before... Either way, he didn't much care. Leoned continued on, not bothering to stop for a breath, even when Harry began to drool in a very unseemly manner.

The time passed with Harry draped hazardously across an armchair in his rooms, mouth slack and eyes lidded, thinking random thoughts as Leo rambled on and on. Leoned lounged happily on the long sofa, where he was being pampered by the room's invisible hands.

Harry was almost asleep when he noticed the ringing silence. Alarmed, he sat up just in time to watch Leo race to the bathroom. Flinching at the sounds of heavy retching that soon followed. He moved quickly to the fireplace, it might be his only chance to call for help or back up.

By the time Leoned emerged from behind the secret bookcase, Vincent was patiently waiting by the fireplace. As he was dragged away, Leo threw Harry a decisively betrayed look. Harry almost felt guilty. Almost. If it weren't for his mushy brain, he'd probably feel guilty for real but it was all Leo's fault he didn't!

With a groan, Harry realized his thoughts weren't making much sense and decided to skip classes for the rest of the day to take a much needed rest.

Later that day, not too long after lunch, Harry was wandering the hallways. He was hoping that he could figure out where Rebeus Hagrid, whom he'd seen skulking around the dungeons, hid his pet Acromantula. Maybe helping out the half-giant would make him feel better.

"Well, surprise, surprise," Adonis cried joyously upon catching sight of him. "Aren't you a sight for sore eyes? Is your period of hermitage over?"

"I've only skipped two classes," Harry mumbled, though he was glad at least someone had missed him.

"What are you doing wandering around?"

"I'm looking for something, or someone," Harry shrugged. "Rebeus Hagrid."

"Oh, that third year?" said Adon, wrinkling his nose in distaste. "He's always lurking around the dungeons with a big box, probably housing some dangerous creature again."

Harry blinked. "So you know where he is? I know he has free period."

"No idea!" Adon said brightly, he slung an arm about Harry's shoulders and led him back up the stairs. "But I might know someone who does."

Harry did a double take, then again just to make sure. Adon couldn't possibly mean...

"Oi, Weasley!" Adon whispered furiously.

"Arr, ahoy there, mateys!" the wild haired boy called back, waving a wooden sword about in the air. "Be that braggarts there I see?"

"Don't even attempt to understand what he's saying," whispered Adon, as though conspiring some great secret. "He goes through these phases."

"Who is that?" Harry demanded, doubtful.

"Michael Weasley, he's Helga's youngest brother," said Adon. "He's Hogwarts' mascot. But he's that Hagrid fellow's best friend, so he must know where Hagrid is."

Michael Weasley was a short, scrawny boy with wild red hair. His face was covered by bright freckles and he had the biggest blue eyes Harry had ever seen, they seemed to bulge in a way that reminded him of Dobby.

Currently, Michael Weasley was pretending to be a pirate. And had apparently chosen the Grand Staircase as his ship, where he had set up a floating thin board against one of the railings (his plank), and a tall pole with a black flag attached to it further up around the 5th floor. Some of the portraits where yelling back in pirate talk about swabbing something or other, others were telling the students, who were either skipping or had free periods, to "walk the plank!"

All in all, it was a very odd sight and Harry didn't know whether to be amused or horrified.

"Is he allowed to do this?" Harry wondered out loud.

"He keeps the portraits and ghosts entertained, so we let him get away with it," Adon explained. "Weasley. Come here!" He waggled his finger. "I need to ask you something."

"Ruddy landlubbers!" Michael whined, leaving his position and his sword. He scowled irritably at them, tapping his foot impatiently. "What do ye be wanting?"

"We just want to ask you a question," said Adon innocently. Michael merely frowned at him doubtfully, turning to face Harry instead.

"Do you know where I can find Rubeus Hagrid?" asked Harry.

"Aye, he's prolly down by th' galley."

"What does that mean in plain old English?" wondered Adon.

"He's probably down by the kitchens," replied Harry. "Let's go."

"Avast, you scurvy dogs!" Michael cried, suddenly brandishing his wooden sword once again. "'Tis time fer ye to walk the plank!"

Harry scowled down at him. Adon took a step back, even the portraits grew silent as a dark cloud seemed to form over Harry. Any other time of the week, Harry would have found this all very cute, but he wasn't in the mood. "The only one who'll be walking the plank is you, if you don't get out of my way this instant."

Michael meeped and scurried away.

"Scaring little boys, probably scarring them for life," Adon was murmuring, mostly to annoy Harry. After one too many turns, he was beginning to wonder if perhaps Harry wasn't looking for a dark, spooky corner to murder him. They'd passed the hallway to the kitchens twice already, yet Harry made no move to go there. Opting instead, to walk around in circles as though waiting for something.

Finally, Harry stopped abruptly, seizing Adon's arm and dragging him into the shadows. For a second, Adon thought his previous idea of a bloody death had been correct. Until he head muffled voices from around the corner. He and Harry crept along the wall until they could see around said corner.

Harry heard Adon's "ooh, big spider!" before he actually saw Aragog, huddled on the floor not too far away.

To a young spider such as Aragog, who had lived in a box most of his short life, the world was a big and scary place. Especially when there was a very angry tall thing shooting sparks of light at you and you couldn't run because two of your many legs were sleeping. It took a lot of concentration to get those legs to work properly, didn't you know?

The tall thing moved towards him again and another sparkling light lit the hallway. Before the light hit him, however, there was the sound of running footsteps and then he was in someone's arms. Warm and safe.

"Protego!" the warm, safe not-as-tall thing shouted. The sparkling light hit an invisible wall and vanished.

Aragog looked up interestedly, gaze contacting with the warmest, shiniest green eyes. Pretty.

Tom lowered his wand in shock. Because who but Harry bloody Potter had appeared to the Acromantula's aid.

Harry was holding the Acromantula gently in his arms, almost as though he were carrying a small infant instead. He was looking down upon it with a soft, gentle expression on his face that Tom had only ever seen once or twice, and never directed at him. Why did that little creature deserve to be the recipient of that gaze?

"That's a dangerous creature!" Tom cried, though he made no move to attack again.

Harry cocked his head, his expression hardening. "But he isn't the most dangerous creature at Hogwarts. Is he?" He contemplated Tom seriously, almost as though he were staring straight as his soul and not liking what he was seeing. Tom froze at the implications of that statement. "The headmaster would be very interested to know. Would he not?"

Lips thinning, Tom turned and stomped away in a flutter of robes, knowing he had to get away fast before Harry decided to change his mind. The boy had been in a very grim mood since his detention with Dumbledore, prone to explode at the most inconsequential things and Tom did not wish to test his ire. His overly dramatic exit was overlooked as Aragog began kicking his many legs about, obviously wanting to be let down.

Harry mournfully complied. The Acromantula was rather adorable as a baby, thought Harry.

"Err, thanks. Fer helpin' us," spoke Hagrid. Harry almost startled, having forgotten about the half-giant. "Why would ye..."

"Oh," Harry smiled sheepishly. "Sorry. I didn't see you there. Is that your Acromantula?"

The half-giant hesitated, shuffling his large feet and looking mildly uncomfortable. The large spider had wandered back to the box and was sneaking back inside.

"Isn't it just a tad bit dangerous... bringing a dangerous creature into a student environment?" continued Harry, serious gaze resting upon the intimidated half-giant. "I have no choice but to report this-"

"No, please!" Hagrid cried. "I'm all he's got! He's only a baby-"

"Even so-" Harry tried to continue, feeling slightly miffed when he was interrupted once again.

"I'll do anythin'!"

Harry took a deep breath. Adon thought he might implode or explode, either one wouldn't be good, so he took another step back just in case. He turned his attention to the box, where he could make out Aragog peering out curiously. It was rather... endearing... if he thought about it. Though, he wouldn't be keeping it as a pet either way.

"Bring the box to my room," said Harry suddenly. "I'm not discussing this in the middle of a busy hallway."

For busy it was, Adon noticed. Students were beginning to appear in the corridor and there were many strange looks thrown their way. Though none seemed likely to approach them, not when there was that look on Harry's face. And especially not when they had seen what happened when someone approached Harry with that expression on his face.

Hagrid picked up his box and reluctantly followed after them. The trip to Harry's rooms was silent, or as silent as it could be when every one of the half-giant's steps made something creak. It was grating on Adon's nerves but he endured, simply because if he complained he'd incur the wrath of the youngest Potter.

Once inside his rooms, Harry seemed to relax, although marginally. "You can let your Acromantula out if you wish. After that, come sit and we'll talk."

Adon claimed the lone armchair in the room, as Harry vanished into the bedroom, closing the door behind him. Hagrid hesitated briefly but pulled the top off the box. The Acromantula peered out curiously, then slowly climbed out and wandered off.

The third year hesitated once more before taking the long sofa, making it creak loudly from his weight. He remained stiff and wide-eyed as he sat there.

In a vain attempt to lighten the mood, Adon extended a box of Harry's Valentine's chocolate. "Chocolate?"

Hagrid gave him a long suspicious look and did not take one. Adon shrugged and ate the rest himself, a little put off by the obvious mistrust the other showed.

Harry finally emerged from his room, looking oddly refreshed though that world weary look was still on his face. Nobody questioned what he'd been doing in there. As soon as he emerged, Aragog shot across the room at top speed and almost bodily heaved himself onto Harry's leg, where he clung very successfully to Harry's pants.

"He seems very taken with you," said Adon, grinning widely. "Prolly thinks you're his hero."

"That's wonderful," Harry winced, pulling the Acromantula off his leg gently. He summoned another armchair and gracefully threw himself upon it. He massaged his forehead gently and Adon stared at him worriedly.

"You all righ'?" Hagrid asked, he was also gazing at Harry in worry and even Aragog seemed to sense something was wrong with his hero. The small Acromantula was pulling at Harry's pant legs insistently, he chirped questioningly when Harry gazed down at him.

Harry smiled warily. "I'm fine. Just a slight headache."

"You've been over working yourself," Adon scowled.

"Please," Harry held up a hand, the other reaching down to scoop Aragog into his arms. "Not right now, Adonis."

Adon cringed at the use of his name but remained silent.

"I'm sorry if I frightened you," Harry said to Hagrid, who was still confused and a little worried. "But it needed to look as realistic as possible. Now, I have a proposition for you."

"A propo...?" Hagrid echoed.

"Proposition; an offer, a proposal of sorts," explained Adon.

"Will you hear me out? I believe it will benefit you in the end," continued Harry.

"Err, all right," agreed Hagrid.

"Tom knows you have him, so he can use him against you," began Harry. His head already filled with all the negative facts of the situation. "If you let him stay with me, he can't. It's really that simple. Allow me to keep Aragog."

Aragog? Adon wondered.

The Acromantula seemed to react to the name, pulling at Harry's shirt before snuggling down against him, or as much as a spider could snuggle anyway.

"But-"

"It doesn't mean that you won't get to see him," continued Harry, as though reading Hagrid's mind. "As long as you're discreet, the room will always grant you entry. And Aragog won't have to hide in that box, he'll have free reign of my rooms. I'm sure he'd like that."

Hagrid frowned thoughtfully. "Can we... try it?"

"Of course," Harry replied. "I'll keep him here and you can visit him when you have time. We'll try it for a few days and see how it goes."

Adon interrupted. "If you're willing, I can get someone from the Department for the Regulation and Control of Magical Creatures to register Aragog to Harry's name."

Harry looked at him in surprise and Hagrid looked even more thoughtful. The half-giant eyed Adon and then Harry, his eyes were worried as he took in Harry's appearance and then Aragog happily snuggling in his lap. "All righ'. Aragog is yers then."

"What?" Harry mumbled, he blinked tiredly at Hagrid. "You're just giving him to me?"

Hagrid nodded, then smiled gently. "Ye look like ye need a friend."

Adon kept his thoughts to himself. What he wanted to say, Harry already has friends, didn't really seem appropriate. With Harry unable to show the half-giant out, Adon volunteered himself to do it, and he did it happily. He wanted to get Harry to bed as soon as possible, the younger boy looked as though he was going to keel over at any minute.

Harry yawned as Adon closed the door behind Hagrid, who left much jollier than he'd arrived.

"All right, to bed with you now," Adon whispered as he helped him to his feet. Aragog moved out of their way, seeming to understand that Adon wanted Harry to rest. "We can deal with Mister Aragog when you're not so tired." He frowned worriedly when Harry didn't even argue, letting himself be led to his bedroom where he fell asleep as soon as his head hit the pillow.

The Acromantula climbed onto the bed and lay down next to him, falling asleep instantly as well. Probably tired from all the excitement. Adon needed to remember to tell Harry they needed to get the spider checked over. He didn't want the creature to suddenly maul Harry or anything.

Adon leaned back against the chair located next to the bed. He had been worried that morning when Harry had missed Defense Against the Dark Arts and had learned the boy had also skipped his previous class. Helga had wanted to search for him, but Adon had promised to find him and make sure he was okay. She had gone to her next class, worried and sad, neither which he liked seeing on her usually happy face.

He froze suddenly, there was a sudden chill in the air. Aragog woke and began twittering and clicking nervously. The Acromantula jumped off the bed, only to hide under it. There was a hissing sound coming from the walls all around them, seeming to echo in the room.

No, he realized, it wasn't hissing. It was words.

"Sleep," said a voice, washing over him like warm honey. "Don't wake. Never to wake. Sleep away the days. Sleep forever."

"Harry, hurry up! We're going to be late!"

"C'mon, mate! Professor McGonagall won't wait forever."

Harry blinked awake warily, automatically reaching for his glasses. He sat up slowly as the world shifted back into focus. "Ron? Hermione?"

"What's wrong, mate?" Ron wondered. "You're looking a might pale."

"I had the strangest dream," he replied, rubbing at the tingle in his scar.

Hermione leaned forward worriedly. "Was... it about You-Know-Who?"

"Don't worry... about it," Harry hesitated, eying the two of them briefly. "Are the two of you all right?"

"Of course, mate," said Ron, cocking an eyebrow. "C'mon. We're going to be late for Transfiguration."

"Transfiguration?" echoed Harry, confused.

"Are you sure you're alright?" Hermione asked, still looking worried. "You do seem quite pale."

"No, no. I'm fine," Harry argued, chuckling nervously. "Can I get dressed now?"

Hermione blushed. "Sorry!"

"We'll wait for you downstairs," said Ron, leading the blushing girl out the door.

Their footsteps receded. Harry looked around almost dazedly, then at his hands. He bit his lip thoughtfully, then quickly pinched his arm, letting out a startled "ow!" when pain erupted from the spot.

"Bloody hell," he muttered, rubbing at the sore. "Must have been some dream."

He didn't even bother with a shower, just throwing on his uniform quickly and, grabbing his books, joined Ron and Hermione in the common room. Together they made their way to Transfiguration, though Harry still felt out of sorts.

Wake up, Harry!

Harry stopped abruptly, gazing down a darkened hallway.

"C'mon, Harry!" Ron called.

C'mon, Harry! echoed the hallway.

"Harry, not that way!" said Hermione, she grabbed his arm tightly. "Don't you remember what Professor Dumbledore said?"

Harry did a double take. "Dumbledore? But he's-"

"He told us to stay away from that corridor, remember?"

"Hurry up, you two!" Ron yelled. "McGonagall's not going to be happy."

"We're coming!" Hermione cried exasperatedly, she shook her head and pulled on Harry's arm. "Let's go, Harry. Ron's right, for once. Professor McGonagall won't be happy if we're late for her class!"

"Right," Harry agreed, he followed reluctantly. Taking one last look down the long, darkened corridor. Why hadn't he noticed that corridor before? And Dumbledore... He remembered Dumbledore warning them not to go into that corridor... yet... "Didn't we have an essay to write?"

"That's right!" said Hermione, she gave him a long serious look. "You did finish it, didn't you?"

"... I don't remember," Harry revealed sheepishly, he dug into his bag. "Ah, here it is. Oh, it looks finished. Could you look it over for me?"

"Blimey, you two!" Ron cried. "You're slower than slugs!"

"It won't take long!" Hermione argued back, taking Harry's essay. "This is great, Harry! You actually finished it on time. We can't say the same for some of us."

"I finished mine!" Ron said defensively, producing a smudged and torn parchment from his bag. "See?"

Hermione rolled her eyes. "Oh, honestly." She pushed open the door to McGonagall's classroom and Harry froze in shock. "Harry?"

"Sorry, I must have spaced out, I didn't notice we'd arrived," he said. But... from Gryffindor Tower to the first floor... "I must be out of it today."

"Just let it pass," Ron said. "I just hope we don't get anymore essays anytime soon."

Harry joined in their laughter. Pushing his worries out of his mind as he entered the room, the door closing behind him with a resounding bang.

"I was wondering where you were hiding," said Harry, not bothering to look up from the book he was reading. A shapeless shadow took the seat across from him, almost blending into the darkness that lingered around the edges of the world.

"You were to look for me, I was waiting," the shadow replied, sounding petulant.

"Sorry, I've never done this before," said Harry, closing the blank book in his hands and shoving it aside. "Why are most of these books empty?"

The shadow seemed to shrug. "They're based on your memories. I guess you don't read many books."

Harry frowned, thinking that was an insult. They regarded each other silently, though the shadow had no visible face, Harry knew he was being stared at.

"What am I going to do with you?" he mumbled finally, rubbing at his forehead in irritation.

"Are you going to kill me, then?" the shadow asked, trying to sound nonchalant and failing miserably.

Harry shook his head. "Despite what I may have said in fits of uncontrollable rage, thanks to you, by the way, I would never kill a part of me. Even if you weren't meant to be a part of me in the first place."

The shadow shifted, then, becoming almost solid. "Is that true? Really?"

Harry stood. "Let's take a walk." He had a nagging feeling that he was wrong in his assumption that this was Rayn's Veela.

They left the library side by side, almost like they were one person and not two. Faceless students lined the halls, waving and greeting Harry. Though they were ignored for the most part.

Ron and Hermione caught up with him at the bottom of the stairs, demanding to know where he'd been. They had, apparently, been looking for him for a while and had been worried when they couldn't find him. Harry managed to calm them and slip away with the pretense of having forgotten something.

"For memories, they're very persistent," he mumbled.

"They grow stronger the more you think of them," the shadow replied happily. "That's why some memories are more easily visible than others."

"They didn't notice you."

"Oh, I'm not part of your memories," the shadow laughed and there was almost something sinister to it that set Harry on edge. "I just linger here."

"Why?"

The shadow seemed to hunch in on itself. "They're very happy memories, Harry. It's better than lingering in the darkness."

Harry winced. Feeling, for a moment, a sharp pain in his chest. "I'm sorry." He meant it, as well, he was startled to realize. "How do I get out of here?"

"You mean you don't know?"

An image crossed Harry's mind then. Of a darkened corridor with pulsing shadows and voices coming from the dark. "Can we go there?"

"You can't leave already!" the shadow argued, sounding distressed even as its form weaved and shook. "You don't know what's there. Some shadows have been there so long, their anger... It-"

"Calm down," muttered Harry, wide eyed. A little shaken at the amount of emotion the shadow was showing. "Its alright if you want to stay here, linger in my memories. I can't stay in dreams forever. I don't know why you called me here in the first place but I can't stay."

"You're going to leave me alone?" the shadow shrieked. It seemed to shudder then a hand darted forward to grasp Harry's hand. "I won't let you leave!"

Harry gasped. "Let go of me!"

The shadow morphed then. Harry stepped back in horror as the shadow took the form of a giant werewolf, teeth gleaming and dripping with blood. "Stay here with me. Forever."

RAYN!