Professor Potter, Chapter 13
"Harry, there are some people at the front door who want to know if you can come out and play."
Harry looked up at his wife from the table where he was putting the finishing touches to his breakfast.
"What are you going on about, Gin?"
"El and Charlie are on the portico dressed in full Quidditch gear and they have some folks with them," she replied with a smile.
"I thought they weren't coming by until this afternoon and we were just going to talk about the team," he said as he stood up.
Ginny just shrugged and followed Harry towards the front door smiling. He pulled the door open and there was the entire team including one flyer Harry didn't recognize. In addition, Mrs. Weasley was there holding on to little Fred and Gabrielle had Victoire by the hand and Fleur was holding Dominique. Harry looked back and Ginny and said,
"I think we've been invaded."
"When it's family it's a visit, Harry," El countered, "although the aftermath might be the same. It was looking to be such a beautiful day and since we hadn't been together in a while we thought we'd get an early start and fit in some practice. I hope you don't mind."
"Not at all, I think it's great, just give us a chance to get ready. You can get the kids settled in, Abagail is with James in the nursery, but first things first," Harry said as he stepped forward to swoop up his niece and give her a hug. "Hello, my big girl, how are you?"
"G'd Uncle 'arry. How are you?" Victoire said as she squeezed Harry around the neck.
After other hugs and kisses were exchanged, Mrs. Weasley, Gabrielle, and Fleur took the little ones in to see James and Abagail while Ginny and Harry took their gear and brooms out of the closet under the staircase. While they were getting suited up Charlie made the one needed introduction.
"Harry, remember we were talking about picking up one more flyer as a substitute? Well, this is him. We were roommates up at Hogwarts. Eddy, this is Harry Potter and my sister Ginny. Harry, Gin, this is Eddy Hillchurch. Eddy was a first rate chaser but more importantly he could play any other position to a credible standard so it makes him perfect for that lost spot."
"Hello, Eddy. It's really great to meet you," Harry said offering his hand.
"It's a pleasure meetin' ya, Mr. Potter," Eddy replied. "I'm lookin' forward to flyin' with ya."
"Of course, that leaves the question of team captain open," Bill said.
Everyone turned to look at Harry. He looked right back shaking his head.
"Oh, no you don't. I turned the job down my seventh year and I'm not about to start now. El and Charlie put this together. It should be either one of them."
"Charlie it is, then, I don't know enough about the other positions to be captain," El said quickly.
"Hold on a minute, Bill is the oldest…" Charlie began.
"Sorry, little brother, it's all yours," Bill said with a grin.
Charlie scowled a bit and then shrugged. El reached into the pocket of her flying robe and pulled out the whistle Harry gave Charlie for Christmas that time.
"I thought you might have need of it," she said with a grin.
Charlie took it and was about to give it a blow when a small pop was heard and there was Kreacher in his coach's sweatshirt, a gray driver's cap and his whistle on the chain around his neck.
"Alright Weasley Potter flyers. No standing around. It is time to be flying not gaggylolling about."
The serious look on the little elf's face was such that nobody bothered to correct him, they just saluted, mounted and took off, although the newcomer Eddy did look a bit puzzled. It was probably the first time he ever saw or even heard of a house elf ordering anyone to do anything. After a quick airborne conference the flyers took some time to loosen up their flying muscles and get accustomed to being on a broom again.
At a signal from Charlie, the practice balls were released and the position players began to work on their specific skills. While the chasers practiced Quaffle handling, and the Beaters volleyed with a single bludger, Harry and Charlie practiced against each other chasing the snitch. On several occasions Kreacher had to whistle the other players back to work as they tended to stop and watch the aerial dogfight the was unfolding. While Charlie and Harry were both very affable, friendly individuals, they were both fiercely competitive and at the moment they were rising to the level of their competition, which in this case was about as good as it could get.
Neither was able to get the best of the other for over half an hour. It came to an end with an ear shattering blast from Kreacher's whistle and the simple expedient of him making the snitch disappear from in front of the two flyers and reappear in his hand. Harry and Charlie coasted to a stop and looked at each other and then down when the others began to applaud. The two then burst out laughing and began to drift down towards the ground.
Charlie and Kreacher conferred briefly and the chasers began scoring attacks on a simulated goal ring with Ron defending. He was a bit rocky at first as he hadn't done any serious flying in months and hadn't defended a goal since his last year at Hogwarts. But it started to come back to him and by the end of the practice he was stopping far more than he was letting by. As the morning wound down they came to rest in the grass of the meadow. They all looked tired but satisfied.
"Same time next week alright with everyone?" Charlie asked.
There were nods all around.
"I've had a few requests for matches. Seems someone let the kneazle out of the bag that we were forming a team, so it looks like we should be able to get a match set up in a few weeks."
"What would you all say to something to drink and maybe some snacks? It's still a bit early for lunch," Harry asked.
There was a general murmur of assent and Eddy added,
"I could do with a quick drink, Mr. Potter, but then I'm afraid I have to be on me way."
"That's fine, Eddy, and it's just 'Harry'."
Eddy just smiled and nodded. They trooped across the lawn and stacked their brooms against the side of the stair case and left their robes on the few chairs that were on the portico. When they made it to the kitchen there were pitchers of water and pumpkin juice. As he had said, Eddy gulped down a large tumbler of juice, shook hands all around and Dinkle escorted him back to the front door.
"Seems like a nice enough fellow," Harry said.
"Eddy is a good man to have on the team, for sure. The fact that he's also a broom craftsman for Nimbus may have its advantages as well," Charlie said.
"Really? Do you think he knows anything about that being my land up there," Harry asked.
"I doubt it. Pinewood is the only one who's in on the arrangement, as far as I know. He's aware of how you want to keep it quiet."
Harry nodded and downed the rest of his juice, then refilled his glass. While they chatted about how the practice went the rest of the family joined them. James was in a quandary. He seemed perfectly content to be held by his big sister but his eyes kept going to his mother and father. He finally seemed to decide to stay with the status quo.
"So, my dears, I trust all went well. I don't see any smudges or bruises," Mrs. Weasley said.
"It did, Mum, although Harry and Charlie were really pushing the limits there for a while," Bill said.
Mrs. Weasley gave them a 'mum' look and the two started grinning like a couple of school boys. They were interrupted by a delicate cough.
"Um, 'arry. Ees theese a good time for you to let me een on the family secret you 'ave mentioned to me?" Gabrielle asked.
The kitchen got very quiet and most of the heads were swiveling back and forth from Harry to Gabrielle.
"What? Deed I say sometheeng wrong?" she asked.
"No, it's ok, Gabrielle. You just caught them by surprise. I hadn't mentioned this to any of them," he said looking at her with a small smile before turning to the others. "She caught a couple of glimpses of my other nature the last few times we've been together. I promised I'd let her in on the secret now that she's old enough and will be around a lot this summer. Why don't we go outside? It's probably best that there are plenty of others around."
This last comment certainly got the young beauty's attention and she looked at Harry closely for a moment and then to her sister for some hint of what was about to come. All Fluer did was nod her head a bit and wink once. The whole group followed behind Harry as he led them out into the warm early summer air. Gabrielle continued to walk along beside her sister, who was still carrying Dominique. Knowing the routine the rest came to a stop at the edge of the manicured grass, Fleur laying a restraining hand on her sister's arm. Harry walked out into the longer grass and then stopped and turned.
"Um, what about the younger ones, do you think it's alright for them to see this? Particularly little Vee?"
Bill took a moment to consider and then said,
"They're going to be around you enough, Harry, that eventually they'll see or hear something. It might as well be now," Bill said as he was holding his oldest daughter.
He then whispered something in her ear and the look she gave her favorite uncle was intensely curious. Harry nodded and then walked a dozen or so steps further out into the meadow. As he turned he saw the look of confusion on Gabrielle's face as she searched for some clue as to what was about to happened. He noticed that Fleur still had her hand resting lightly on her sister's arm and that Abagail had come to stand on her other side, holding her hand.
"I'll show you now, Gabrielle, and then I'll explain it to as best I can."
He looked at everyone standing there and then within two heart beats he was looking down at them from a much higher vantage point. He could see Gabrielle's eyes go very wide and her free hand come up to cover her mouth. She tried to take a step backward but her legs gave way a bit and Abagail at her side and Eleanor standing behind her had to lend some support. Little Vee on the other hand started clapping and shouting with glee. He came down on all fours with a thump and brought his head down until it was almost to the ground.
Victoire was straining in her father's arms, reaching toward the dragon's head. Bill walked slowly forward until she was able to bring both palms to rest on his snout. He could hear the nonstop giggling for the little girl and had to work hard to suppress a snort when she leaned further and kissed the scaly skin. Harry shifted his gaze as Bill walked his daughter back to the others and he could see Gabrielle was still rooted in place. He saw Ginny give a small toss of her head skyward and he took the hint. He backed up several steps and launched himself skyward. He took a slow measured flight over the grounds, staying below the tree tops as best he could. He then returned and came to a hover and like the time at Hogwarts, Abagail stepped forward, her hair whipped by the air blasts of his wing beats. When she was close enough she reached out and the dragon extended a great talon and she rested her hand on the claw for a moment and then lifted it.
Harry backed away, as did she, until he had room to land. Once on the ground he rotated onto his haunches again and within two heartbeats he was standing in the grass looking at his family. Victoire struggled out of her father's arms and once she was on the ground she dashed straight toward Harry who swept her up and held her face to face. The little girl was almost crowing.
"Uncle 'arry's a dagon," she said.
"Say dragon, Vee," Harry said, emphasizing the 'r'.
"Dwagon," she tried.
"Well, it's a start," he laughed.
As he walked forward he saw Gabrielle staring at him. He hadn't been sure of what kind of reaction he was going to get from her but what he was seeing wasn't very hopeful. As they got within a few steps she was still regarding him with wild eyes but she had a least found her voice.
"Impossible. 'ow can theese be?" she asked.
Harry handed his niece off to her father and offered his hand to Gabrielle and said,
"Let's go sit over there," he gestured to a low stone wall that ran around one of the flower beds, "and I'll try to explain," he said softly.
She hesitated a moment but finally took his hand and together the two went over and sat down. Without letting go of her hand Harry began to explain the story of how his other self had emerged and what uses he had made of it since. The rest of the family began to drift about the lawn. The little ones ran, walked or crawled on the soft greenery while the adults talked in small groups. Eyes continually shifted to the two who were sitting side by side, heads close together, Harry's free hand occasionally making gestures. Finally, they stood up, exchanged a brief hug and then Gabrielle walked slowly away from the others, towards the small pond and stream. Harry went to rejoin the family.
"She said she'd like some time to think it over. It turned out to be a pretty big shock. She thought my eating habits had something to do with a backfired spell or the aftermath of something Voldemort had done to me," Harry said, clearly concerned.
Abagail walked quickly but quietly to come to stand by her friend's side as the taller girl looked at the water. Without looking Gabrielle reached out and let her long arm drape around Abagail's shoulder and pulled the smaller girl tight to her side. Abagail brought her arm around the small of Gabrielle's back to offer whatever support the trouble girl thought she needed.
Harry looked at Fleur not needing to ask the question.
"I don't know what ees wrong, 'arry. She's been 'ere almost a week now and she 'as not said very much. She seems 'appy enough when she plays with the children but more than once I 'ave found 'er sitting in front of the cottage staring out at the sea."
A while later Nibs called them all into lunch and slowly the adults made their way towards the kitchen were a buffet had been set up. It was perhaps twenty minutes after they had started to eat that the two teenagers walked in. Fleur got up from her chair and walked up to her sister and began to speak quietly to her in French. Gabrielle gave a slow shake of her head and muttered something back. Fleur looked over her shoulder at Harry with a questioning glance. Harry exchanged a look with Ginny and then got up and went over to the two sisters.
"'arry, Gabi weeshes to speak to you, please. Een private."
"Sure, we can go into the library. Come on," Harry said softly with a gesture towards the hallway.
They walked silently to the library and after letting Gabrielle precede him through the door, he did something he never did while he was in the room. He closed the door. He gestured to a chair and Gabrielle sat down, her hands held in her lap, her head down slightly. Harry took the chair opposite and waited. After a moment or two she looked up at Harry and said,
"I weeshed to apologize to you, 'arry. You showed me a truly wonderous theeng thees morneeng, yes? But I was too, 'ow you say, lost een myself, to truly appreciate eet."
"What do you mean, 'lost in yourself'."
"Feeleeng sorry for myself. I weell tell you sometheeng, 'arry, but I don't theenk you weell understand eet," she said, rubbing her hands together a bit, her face somber. "I feel that I am, um, surrounded, yes, by people who are extraordinaire. My seester, Beell, Papa, Geeny, Abagail. And you, of course. What I saw today just reminded me 'ow leetle I have to offer. Just thees face, thees 'air and …" she finished making a vague gesture toward herself.
"I'll tell you later how much I disagree with you about that but first, why don't you think I will understand how you feel?"
"Because you are 'arry Potter. Your life 'as been incroyable, incredible. The theengs you 'ave done. 'ow could you know what eet ees like to be like me?" she asked, a bitter undertone to her voice.
Harry didn't know whether to laugh or cry. So he did neither but did take in a deep breath and let it out slowly. He leaned forward and took one of her slender fingered hands in his.
"Have you an idea what my life was like before I got my letter to Hogwarts?"
"Only what my seester told me a few times. Your aunt and uncle were 'orrible to you, I know that."
"That's understating it a bit, but yes they were. One of the ways they were horrible to me, as you put it, was to constantly remind me how useless I was. They knew about my magic side and hated me for it and did everything they could to try and crush it out of me. So I think I have an idea about what it's like to feel ordinary. Now, to the matter at hand. You are not now, nor have you ever been, nor will you ever be, ordinary. You have a loving heart and a caring soul. You're very smart and I've seen you demonstrate some very strong natural leadership skills. So with all that going for you why would you think you have nothing to offer the world but your physical gifts, as significant as those may be?"
Gabrielle's eyes widened a bit as she heard the wonderful things Harry was saying about her but they popped wide and she blushed at the last comment. Then her face got serious again and she said,
"Being the president of your fan club, as fun as eet was, ees not the sort of theeng that weell help me een my life."
"I don't know about that. You'd be surprised what kinds of experiences can prove useful later on. But I think the important thing to ask yourself is what would you like to do?" Harry asked.
"I don't know," she replied softly.
"Alright, let's try a different approach. What are you good at?"
She gave a small shrug. Harry suddenly understood what it was that so annoyed his family when he would do the same thing.
"Come on, Gabi," Harry said, using his best 'professor' voice. "You obviously passed your exams, which ones did you do best on?"
Faced with a more insistent Harry she looked at him and said,
"I received my best marks een Potions. I did nearly as well weeth Herbology, as you call eet."
"Alright, now we're getting somewhere. Did you like them well enough to think it might be something you would like to do as a career?" Harry asked.
"I 'ave thought about eet, but could not really decide."
"Potions would allow you to work at an Apothecary, or perhaps a hospital. With enough experience you might even be able to teach. My mother was very good with potions."
"Really?" she said with more interest. "I 'ave never 'eard much about your mama, 'arry."
"Professor Slughorn, the Hogwarts Potions professor, said he thought she could have taken over from him at some point. I have no idea what she thought she might do. Look, Gabrielle. It's not my intention, nor my place, to try and force you to make a decision about your life. But as your friend, as your family, and as a nosy, busy body of a teacher, I have to insist that you stop looking at yourself as just some pretty face. You will start thinking of yourself as an intelligent, capable young witch with a bright future and a family to support you on that journey. Am I making myself clear?"
"Oui, Professeur," she said mildly, with a small smile.
"That's a little better. I know it can be difficult trying to find your way out of someone else's shadow. You should talk to Ron about it. He's managed it very well."
"Ron? 'oo's shadow was 'e een?" she asked, genuinely curious.
"His older brothers', mine, Hermione's."
She said nothing, only nodded, her expression thoughtful. Finally she looked at Harry,
"Thank you, 'arry. I know you 'ave much to concern you. I should not be troubleeng you with my problems."
"Wrong. I'm your family and I'm here for you, just like I am for any of the family. Besides, I'd much rather deal with your problem then some of the ones I've had to deal with in my life," he said with a wry smile.
Gabrielle laughed a bit and squeezed Harry's hand. Harry said,
"So, shall we go back to the kitchen and let everyone start breathing again?"
"Yes, I theenk that would be a good idea."
They both stood up and Gabrielle took Harry into a tight embrace which he returned. She whispered in his ear,
"Geeny is a very lucky girl."
It was Harry's turn to blush a little. When they returned to the kitchen, she was smiling a bit and Fleur wrapped her in her slender arms and whispered in her ear. Then she looked at Harry over Gabi's shoulder and mouthed a silent 'merci'. The crowd began to disperse slowly afterwards and within half an hour the Potters were home alone, with the exception of the dogged scholars in the basement. Harry figured he would pay a visit later in the afternoon. After showers and dressing, Harry and Ginny sat with James on the front portico relaxing.
"What is it about some people that makes it so hard for them to realize their own worth?" Ginny asked.
"You're asking me? After all the issues I've had in that regard I think I'm hardly one to offer any answers."
"I disagree, my dear. It's like what you told me about teaching broom flying. You've had to work through those issues so you should know as well as anyone, probably better," she replied seriously.
"Maybe. I don't know, Gin, perhaps they just make the mistake of comparing themselves to someone else when they should just look in the mirror."
"See that, I told you you'd have an answer."
Their conversation didn't get much further as a familiar and very large figure appeared on the pathway leading out from the car park in the woods. Hagrid waved to them as he stomped up the path to the house.
"Looks like James is about to get his belated birthday present from his godfather," Harry said.
"But he's not carrying anything."
"Are you kidding, Gin? He could be hiding just about anything in that coat of his. I hope it's not a dragon egg."
Ginny's head snapped around and then she gave Harry one of her 'looks'.
"Hullo there ya two. Good ta see yas. Especially young James. Got summat fer him here. Is Abagail about, she might find this interestin'."
"Just a moment, Hagrid, I'll call her down," Ginny said.
She got up and went to the door, swung one side open and stuck her head in and shouted,
"Abagail! Come down and see Hagrid!"
Harry just shook his head as Hagrid smiled under his bushy beard. Harry frowned a bit as he thought he saw some movement under the moleskin coat. He looked up at his big friend who just winked once. Ginny had left the front door open as she returned to her seat and in a few moments Abagail came through at a run. She made straight for Hagrid and hugged him as best she could, as she didn't even reach to the belt that secured his coat.
"Alright. I gots a present here for James' first birthday and it's somethin' ever' boy should have grownin' up but I'm thinkin' a certain young miss will like it as well."
With that pronouncement he reached inside his coat and drew out a wriggly ball of fur. A rather large ball. Abagail let out a shriek and reached up. What she was handed was a brindled Mastiff puppy that was all blocky head, legs, and paws. She cuddled it to herself and rested her cheek on the dogs head.
"Oh, Hagrid, he's so cute. I thought I was going to miss Norby, well I will, but this will make it not seem so bad," she said in a breathy rush.
She took the puppy over to where James had been sitting near Ginny's chair. The boy pulled himself upright and reached to run his hand over the short haired body of the puppy. He laughed at the soft feel. Harry looked at his wife and they exchanged resigned looks.
"I suppose we have room for one of these monsters. Is he one of Norby's offspring by any chance," Harry asked.
"Yep. Arranged it with the same feller I go Norby from. He's bettin' this 'un will be bigger than his da," Hagrid said with a smile.
Ginny rolled her eyes and shook her head.
"James won't be much help but at least Abagail will be around to look after him," she said. "I know nothing about raising dogs."
"Oh, don't worry, Ginny. I learned lots from Hagrid when I was spending all that time at his hut," she said from where she had sat down next to James with the puppy filling her lap, content to be petted after the long ride down from Hogwarts.
"That settles that, I suppose. Well, ones thing's for sure, Hagrid. You won't have to worry about what to get him for his second birthday."
"Wot's that, Harry?"
"A saddle."
The puppy barked a little at the sound of all the laughing. Hagrid remained for several hours visiting, sitting on the top of the steps giving advice and suggesting where they could find supplies for the dog, the magical pet shop in Diagon Alley wasn't going to be much help with a normal dog. It wasn't long before Harry couldn't resist playing with the puppy. He hoped being sired by Norby, the new dog would share his father's tendency not to drool in his lap like Fang used to. The question of a name arose and despite many suggestions nothing sounded right. Abagail had suggested Merlin but Harry thought his magical benefactor might find that a bit disrespectful. They'd have to work on it.
Sunday morning found the Tome Study Group sitting around the dining room table going over their progress to date. Professor Vector indicated that they were making some headway into discerning some patterns that might be the key that Merlin had mentioned but they were still a long way away from cracking the code. Professor Babbling confirmed that they could find no mention anywhere of this type of picture writing, more or less confirming that it was an original construct of the legendary mage. Angus merely sat, silently.
Hermione and Professor Flitwick reported that they too were making headway with the Latin translation but what they were getting out of it seemed oddly phrased. They suspected that either the translation was a code, or the Latin itself was somehow coded leading to mistranslation. However, this didn't seem to dismay them in the least. It merely increased the level of the challenge.
Professor Slughorn had updated the potion ingredients list that he had dug out of the later portion of the tome and was in discussions with St. Mungo's to begin testing. Neville had picked up on the plant that Professor Sprout had found the reference to and was already searching for it. He took the new research assistant along. Professor Slughorn handed Harry a small stack of parchment.
"Harry, my boy, this is a copy of the section that contained my potion formula and description. I'd appreciate it if you'd take a look at it and see what you make of it. Quite a bit of it seems to diverge from the discussion of the formula, a bit confusing really. I thought with your having studied different magical texts these last few years you might be able to make something of it."
"Sure, Professor, I'd be glad to. I feel I'm not making much of a contribution lately," Harry replied.
Nobody voiced the thought their faces were betraying about that particular observation but Professor Vector pushed the discussion in another direction.
"Harry, I've been thinking about the incident you described to us concerning young Miss Westwood when she touched that page of the Tome. Did she happen to mention that she was able to discern anything of what Merlin was thinking while she observed him?"
"No, I don't think she did, but I didn't really ask too many questions of her," Harry replied.
"Do you think she would mind talking to us now?"
"I doubt she would but let's ask her. I think she's out front with the latest addition to the family," Harry replied, smiling slightly at the strange looks he was getting.
He left the dining room and went out through the front doors. Abagail was sitting on the lawn playing with the puppy. James was there as well with Ginny sitting nearby in a chair.
"Abagail, could you spare us a few moments. Professor Vector would like to ask you something."
"Sure, Harry. I'll be right there," she replied.
She got up off the grass and scooped up the puppy and walked toward the house. Harry looked at her with a raised eyebrow and she said,
"Ginny's not all that comfortable around him yet and James isn't quite ready to handle him."
Harry didn't say anything and simply followed her into the house, the dog regarding him over the top of Abagail's shoulder. He wondered how long it would be before the dog would be able to return the favor. As they walked into the dining room there were several exclamations regarding the size of the puppy.
"I take it Hagrid is involved with this somehow," Professor Slughorn said, gesturing meaningfully towards Abagail and her burden.
"Yes, a present for James' first birthday. Abagail has appointed herself regent caregiver since James is a bit young yet," Harry said.
"Hmm, yes, and about five sizes too small."
"Miss Westwood," Professor Vector began, "Harry has told us about what occurred when you laid your hand on the tome and then afterward when you touched just the one page. When you were observing the wizard at his work, were you able to pick up anything of what he was thinking?"
"No, sir, but then again I wasn't really trying. I guess I was caught up in the idea of being able to watch him and that he seemed aware of me that I didn't even think to try anything else."
"The reason I ask is that if you were able to observe him while he was writing in the pictograms, it might help us break the code," the Professor said.
"I could try," she replied.
"Excellent. Angus has a sheet from the early section. We could try it now if you don't mind."
"Surely."
Angus pulled a sheet of the odd picture writing from a stack of papers on the table in front of him. He slid the sheet to the side so Abagail could reach it. She stepped up, realized she was overly encumbered and held the puppy out to Angus.
"Would you, please?"
The boy blinked a time or two then reached out and took the puppy and held him on his lap. Abagail reached out and put her hand on the sheet, palm down and closed her eyes. Those around the table watched as the small girl stood stock still, her eyes under her lids the only visible movement. Harry had come to stand behind her in case the contact resulted in any dizziness, as it had the first time. After a moment she took in a deep breath and opened her eyes.
"Well, that was interesting," she said, barely audibly. "Could I sit down, please?"
Despite being loaded down with the dog, Angus was up in an instant and stepping back out of the way. Abagail looked back at him with a tired little smile and slipped into the chair.
"Did you see anything, my dear?" Professor Slughorn asked.
"Yes, but it was much different than the other time."
"How so?" asked Professor Vector.
"With the single sheet from later in the book I could see Merlin very clearly, as if I was standing across the room from him. When he looked over at me I could see ever feature of his face. This time it was like looking through a thin curtain or veil and he never even looked up. I could see that he was writing but he was using something odd to write with. I think they call it a stylus. The room was different too. The first time it looked like he was in a room in a tower, all gray stone. This time it was a larger room, rectangular with painted walls, very bright colors."
"Hmm, so, the sheets appear to be written at different times and in different places. Looking at them I would have thought they were all done in the same period, say during a lifetime, a conventional lifetime that is," Vector said.
A thought occurred to Harry.
"Abagail, when you first touched the whole book, you said it was very overwhelming, like everything was coming at you at once. Then when you touched the single sheet you felt that the power of Merlin had infused the sheet somehow, am I getting that right?"
"Yes, Harry. There was a sense of personal power in the parchment itself. It felt different this time, though, not nearly so strong or, I don't know how to say it, um, together," she said.
"I believe the word you are looking for, my dear, is cohesive," Professor Slughorn said.
"Yes, thank you, I think that's right."
"So maybe then we're getting a glimpse of Merlin at two different phases of his life. This early sheet is him as a more ordinary wizard at the beginnings of his power and the later one is him at the peak of his powers and skills. Therefore the different levels of clarity of the image," Harry said in conclusion.
"You many have something there, Harry," offered Professor Babbling. "We sometimes talk about a person's aura, more as a metaphor for the strength of their personality, but perhaps for someone with sufficient power, it's more tangible."
"Well, this is all getting very philosophical but why don't we let the young lady get back to her day and we'll press on. Thank you, Miss Westwood, we appreciate your time and effort."
"You're welcome, sir," she replied as she stood back up.
"Abagail, why don't you go back outside and relax with Ginny and James. I'll send Nibs out in a bit with something for you," Harry said, then he looked at Angus and the puppy. "Um, Angus, would you do me a favor and carry the puppy outside. Abagail's a bit done in."
The boy looked down at the dog that had fallen asleep and was dangling in all directions in the boys arms.
"Oh, aye," he said and then blushed as Abagail smiled at him before she led him out of the room and beyond to the front lawn.
Professor Vector looked down at the solitary sheet that Abagail had touched. Then he scratched his head and said,
"More tantalizing tidbits, but I'm becoming more convinced that our clever friend isn't giving anything up easily. I'd bet he put that potion and plant reference out in plain sight as a way to keep our attention."
Harry thought back to the look in Merlin's eyes as he approached Lily Potter, just before she escorted him through the Veil. He recalled the twinkle, the almost boyish charm and he had to agree.
AUTHORS NOTE: If you'd like to suggest a name for the puppy drop me a note.