TRUTH IS IN THE BLOOD
CHAPTER 21
HELP
"Hey Harry," Ron stated as he started to eat, "Regardless of who your family is, you are going to spend your birthday at the Burrow with the family, right?"
"Yeah!" Harry said excitedly, "I would love to. I only have to be with my 'family'," Harry said, sneering at the last word, "Until my seventeenth birthday. I don't see why I can't leave that morning to celebrate it with my real family. We could do all sorts of things. Maybe you can come with me to get my apparating license."
"Cool," Ron agreed, nodding his head.
"Harry," Hermione admonished, "They are your real family."
Harry snorted, "According to some piece of paper I obtain at the Ministry Potion's lab, maybe," he said in agreement, "But since it will be quite possible that I never met them before or never even met them, how close could you really expect us to be after a few days."
"Still," Hermione muttered, gnawing at her lip. Something about Harry's and Ron's conversation bothered her. She wished she could remember what it was.
"Good morning," Albus called as he entered the Great Hall and took a seat besides Neville.
"Morning," each of the students returned.
"So what do you six have planned for today?" The headmaster inquired.
Most of the student's just shrugged their shoulders. Only Hermione had a definite answer, "The library. There's a few more books I want to look at and now would be an ideal time since I know that no one else would have them out."
Ron groaned, "No library for me," he stated abruptly. "Maybe some flying though, are you in Harry? Ginny?"
Ginny snuck a look at Neville before answering, "No, not today. Maybe I'll just spend the day relaxing in the Common Room."
Harry just nodded while he continued to eat.
"I think maybe I'll go flying," Luna stated dreamily, causing her friends and the headmaster to look at her in surprise.
Harry didn't recall ever seeing Luna on a broom before, and from the looks on his friends' faces, neither had any of them.
"I doubt she'll need a broom," Ron whispered to Harry, "Her head is often in the clouds."
Harry jabbed his best friend in the ribs for that remark, "Shut up, Ron," he whispered back before turning to Luna, "You are more than welc-"
"Headmaster," Snape interrupted as he entered the Great Hall, glaring at the students assembled at the table, "I need to discuss something with you."
"Of course, Severus, proceed," Albus responded motioning with his hands for the teens to remain silent.
Snape's eyes flickered once more to the six teenagers before meeting the headmaster's gaze. "I think this is something best discussed in private."
"Very well, then," Dumbledore answered as he stood up and addressed the teens, "If you'll excuse me."
"Of course, Headmaster," Hermione answered for the group exchanging curious looks once the adult's backs were turned. Once they were alone in the Great Hall, Ron immediately stood up and approached the door, withdrawing a set of Weasley Extendable Ears so that everyone could hear the conversation.
"What is it, Severus? Were you summoned again?"
"No, sir," Severus responded, "Not since the night after Fudge's announcement about Potter," he added, sneering at the boy's name.
"Now, Severus, how many times do I need to tell you that Harry is quite different than you think?"
"For once, headmaster," Severus snarled, "This conversation is not about your precious boy wonder."
Hermione and Ginny hid their laughter at their potions professor's new nickname for Harry much better than Ron did. Harry only glared at the door that Snape was behind.
"I apologize," Albus responded, as five teens imagined eyes twinkling in merriment, "Please continue."
"An associate," Severus stressed, "Just fire called me. He wanted to know about some potions ingredients."
"Was it for Voldemort?" Albus asked, suddenly serious.
"Most likely," they heard Severus answer after a pause, "But that hasn't been confirmed."
"What exactly did he need?"
"He inquired about the properties of various ingredients, why they would be used, what they might negatively react with, if I had any or where they could be located."
The six teens exchanged worried glances as the older two wizards fell silent.
"Severus, what is it?" The headmaster asked, breaking the silence.
"I was not able to obtain any additional information. He would not even inform me of why he needed this information or what he was trying to accomplish.
"I imagine that this is at the request of the Dark Lord, since I cannot imagine him doing anything regarding potions on his own, but, if that is the case, why was I not summoned to be asked by Voldemort?
"As the Dark Lord's Potions Master, I would be the likely choice to answer questions, research, and brew the potion for him, yet I was not summoned or asked directly by him. Instead, a former student who barely restrained from destroying the castle was given this assignment and was using me as a source of information."
"What did you tell him about obtaining the ingredients?"
"I sadly informed him that I didn't have sufficient quantities of the ingredients he requested on hand."
"Is that true?"
After a pause, Severus quietly answered, "It is." Hermione looked at Harry, nodded and added a quiet, 'now' to that statement, causing Harry and Ginny to nod in agreement.
"Do you believe Voldemort suspects anything?" Albus asked worriedly.
"I don't see how," Severus responded. "If he had, I most likely would not have been allowed to leave last time. Of course, there is the possibility that he does and is trying to lull me into a sense of false security. I know that others do have concerns of my loyalty due to my closeness to you."
"How else would you explain the fact that he didn't contact you for this information directly?"
Severus met the headmaster's gaze, "There is always the possibility that my associate was either acting on his own, hoping to present a feasible idea, or that his research was for personal reasons."
"Either way," Albus concluded, "I'll alert the order. We should be on guard. Please inform me if he contacts you again or if you discover additional information."
"Of course, headmaster," they heard Snape respond before hearing footsteps retreat from the Great Hall.
"What was that about?" Harry asked in bewilderment.
"Surely if anyone knew," Ron joked, "It would be the 'boy wonder'."
Harry growled as the others laughed.
"You do know that we can't call him that, don't you?" Hermione addressed the group after everyone calmed down.
"What? Why not?" Ron whined, "It's the perfect nickname for him. The only bad thing about it is that Snape came up with it."
"Exactly," Hermione said, "If you used it, Professor Snape would know that we were listening in on his conversations with the headmaster."
"Bugger," Ron muttered, "I suppose teasing boy wonder here, isn't worth a year of detention or a zillion points from Gryffindor."
"Thank Merlin," Harry mumbled in relief.
"But we still don't know what that was about," Neville added.
"I wish I knew what ingredients he was asking about," Hermione stated curiously. "That way I could look them up in the library."
Ron groaned at another mention of more time in the library, "Don't you spend enough time there as it is?"
"It's our final year at Hogwart's," Hermione explained, "And I for one, want to make it as memorable as possible."
"Yeah, well so do I," Ron agreed, "But I don't see how that could be possible when you spend it all in the library."
"We do have NEWTS this year," she reminded the red-haired boy. "I would think that you would want to do as well as possible given your desired career choice."
"I do!" Ron exclaimed, "But I also want to have some fun."
"The two aren't mutually exclusive," Neville stated, hoping to offset an argument between his two friends. "Both of you have a point. We do need to study for our NEWTS, but at the same time, this will be our last opportunity to get to know our classmates and develop close friendships or more with them."
Both Hermione and Ron just nodded in agreement, however, neither one spoke another word.
"Harry, I'm worried," Hermione said as the two quietly sat in the common room.
"Why? Did you have a vision?"
"Harry! I'm serious. I've been thinking about the conversation that we overheard. We know that a Death Eater was asking Professor Snape about ingredients and their properties. I'm afraid that he is trying to find something that would interfere with the Biocreo potion."
"Hmm," Harry mused, "Who knew that one of them would be on my side."
Hermione sighed in frustration as Ginny entered the room and joined them. "I don't mean like that. I meant that he was trying to skew the results so that the potion would show him or another Death Eater as your closest family."
"That's not good," Harry muttered as the color drained from his face.
"No, it's not," Hermione said, as Ginny snickered at the understatement. "That's why I really think you should brew the potion on your own."
"Hermione," Harry said, "I already said that I would think about it."
"I know, but I think that you need to make your decision now. It is a difficult potion and it's not something you want to rush." Hermione paused before giving her next suggestion. "I also think that if you are going to brew the potion beforehand, that you should ask Professor Snape to help you," Hermione suggested.
"I haven't even agreed to do it," Harry protested.
"Harry, would you rather find out who your parents are when you're alone or would you rather have Minister Fudge announce it to everyone during a press conference?"
"He wouldn't," Harry gasped, his attention completely focused on Hermione now.
"Wouldn't he? Do you know the publicity he would get from that?"
"But surely he would tell me before he tells the whole wizarding world."
"Oh, yes," Ginny snickered, "Because he's always so willing to help you."
"Harry, did you forget what we talked about the other day?" At Harry's blank stare, Hermione continued, "About the reasons why it would be good for you to know beforehand who your family is? Not only would it prevent someone from skewing the results, but maybe Professor Dumbledore could do something to prevent you from going to live with them, if it is a suspected Death Eater. Better to be prepared than to be caught unaware."
"Fine, I'll brew the potion," Harry reluctantly agreed, "But Snape?"
"Harry, no one else is as familiar with potions as he is."
"Are you sure I couldn't do it on my own? Or with your help?"
Hermione just gave Harry a look that spoke volumes.
"What? I'm really not that bad in potions, as long as Snape isn't around, plus you'll be there to help."
"Neither one of us is up to Snape's level,"
"Of course not! He's a potion master," Harry exclaimed, exasperated.
"Exactly," Hermione said smugly, since Harry had proven her point for her.
"Oh, all right, I'll think about it."
"Severus, I'm sure by now you have heard about the situation surrounding our Mr. Potter."
"I have heard things about your Mr. Potter," Severus responded, "Frankly, I don't care, but it seems to be unavoidable."
"You should care. If Harry's natural parents are disclosed as Death Eaters, he would most likely be placed in Voldemort's hands, where you would be the only chance of rescue."
"Regardless, the identity of the boy's parents does not concern me in the least."
"And here I was hoping you would offer to assist him in brewing the Bicreogermanidserum potion."
"Even if I was the slightest bit concerned regarding his origins, why would I willingly spend time with a boy I hate?"
"Think of it as an act of good faith."
As Snape snorted, Albus continued, "As I have told Mr. Potter many times, the two of you are on the same side in this war. Both of you need to believe that. By offering to assist him, this would help Harry believe that."
"Why should it? Saving his life obviously hasn't helped."
"Severus, at your request, he does not know that you were the one who helped him. Now, will you talk to Harry?"
"I'll think about it," Severus said as he stood up. "Is that all, sir?"
"Yes, thank you Severus," Albus said, eyes twinkling, "I know you'll do the right thing."
"Harry, pay attention!" Ron yelled as the Quaffle almost hit the raven haired boy. "Madam Pomfrey isn't available to heal you if you break another bone."
"Sorry," Harry yelled back.
Ron just shook his head, this was at least the fifth time Harry almost got hurt due to his preoccupation. "Maybe we should just go inside and play chess again. At least when you didn't pay attention then, you didn't almost fall 500 feet."
"Okay," Harry agreed, as he flew back to the ground.
"So, what are you thinking about?" Ron curiously asked after all the Quidditch equipment was put away. Hopefully this time he would get an answer, Harry had been very tight lip about what was bothering him, the only thing he had shared was that it didn't involve Voldemort.
"Hermione," Harry muttered quietly and hopelessly.
"Oh," Ron said sadly, before nervously asking, "Why?" When Harry didn't elaborate, he hesitantly asked, "Do you like her?"
"What?" Harry exclaimed in shock, "No, not like that," he answered before snickering at Ron's sigh of relief. "No, I 'm just thinking about what she said about the potion and Snape."
"Are you going to do it?"
"Brew the potion?" Harry asked, "Yeah, I think I would like to know before Fudge and the wizarding world."
"I meant ask Snape," Ron answered, "I figured you would brew it early."
"Maybe. I'm just debating if it's worth being in detention for the next year," Harry wondered, "I have no doubt that Snape would do that if I dare to approach him during the holiday."
The red haired boy snickered, "Is that why you're spending so much time with me lately? In case you can't next year to the greasy git's punishment?"
"Partly," Harry joked back. Seriously, it was part that and partly to avoid Hermione. Since Hermione was still mad at Ron, she had avoided the youngest Weasley male as much as possible.
"You should probably just ask him," Ron suggested, "No point in having Hermione mad at both of us," he concluded sadly.
"Have you tried apologizing?"
"Yeah, but she won't listen. Bloody hell, she won't even be in the same room as me unless someone else is there as well."
"Maybe a note? Or Flowers?" Harry suggested, shrugging his shoulders, "Chocolates?" Maybe if Ron used one of those methods to apologize, they might admit how they feel.
"Harry!" Ron yelped, "I'm not trying to woo her, just apologize."
"Woo?" Harry echoed, bursting out laughing at Ron's choice of words. "Maybe you should, you know that you want to."
"Why should I bother?" Ron mumbled, not even bothering to deny that he wanted to. "She's mad at me, I somehow doubt that that's a good way to start a relationship."
"Never know unless you try," Harry said, "Besides maybe she'll surprise you."
Ron just grunted in reply.
"Or you can spend our last year at Hogwarts, not only without a girlfriend, but with your best friend mad at you," Harry offered, "That will be a year to remember."
"Not in a good way," Ron muttered before clearing his throat and saying, "Besides, I'm sure I can find someone willing to date me," Ron joked, "After all, I am the best friend of the Boy-Who-Lived."
"Brilliant reason to date someone," Harry drawled, "And why I'm not dating anyone."
"I thought you weren't dating because of the danger factor and Voldemort?"
"That too," Harry answered, "Not many people want to know the boy behind the fame and fortune, nor could they protect themselves."
"Guess you really have to date from within our group," Ron said before brightly saying, "Hermione is out, but what about Ginny?"
Harry shook his head muttering, "He's as clueless as Hermione."
"What do you mean clueless? What's going on? Is Ginny dating someone? Who? It better not be Michael Corner again."
Harry just shook his head, "Just apologize to Hermione and ask her out."
Dinner that night was quiet since most of the teenagers were spending it thinking about the other occupants.
"Hey, listen to this," Harry spoke after opening the latest letter from Fudge and the Ministry.
'Dear Mr. Potter,
Due to your lack of attendance at the Ministry of Magic's potion lab, I can only conclude that you have read the Daily Prophet and are aware that you have three weeks from the date of the Wizengamut meeting to supply us with your blood donation.
Please report to the Ministry of Magic's potion lab by 3 p.m. on July 26th. You are allowed to bring one (1) guest with you into the labs. Any other companions can wait for you in the lobby.
If you do not appear by the above mentioned time and date, a warrant will be issued for your arrest and Aurors will track you down to escort you to the lab.
Sincerely,
Cornelius Fudge
Minister of Magic
"Guess they finally realized you weren't going to show up until the deadline," Ginny grinned.
"About time," Harry mumbled, "I was getting tired of reading his letters. Hopefully this is the last until July 26th."
"Hey, on the bright side, I believe you can now recognize every owl that the ministry owns," Ron joked.
"Or at least fourteen of them," Neville agreed, "And you really need to thank Hermione for that warning about the letter being charmed to act as a portkey, how many times did that save you? Three? Four?"
"Four," Harry confirmed, with a grateful glance in the direction of the oldest girl. "And I already told Hermione that I will be buying her the biggest box of Honeyduke's chocolate I can carry next time we're at Hogsmeade. But I still can't believe that he actually tried that. I wonder what Rita would have to say about that?"
Harry spent the next day thinking about the potion and what his friends had said. They really had him worried. Would Fudge 'sell' him to the highest bidder? Maybe it would be a good thing to ask Snape for help or at least ask him to use the lab for him and Hermione to brew it.
"Sir?"
"What is it Potter?"
"I was thinking about brewing the potion that would reveal the names of my parents," Harry began
"BiocreoidliquovirufudiPotter, your skills in potions are atrocious enough, at least have enough respect to call the potions by its name."
"Sorry, sir," Hp said surly, if he needed the potions master help, it wouldn't do to aggravate the man. "I've been thinking about the Bicreoidliquovirufudi Potion,"
"Yes, you said that," Snape sneered.
Harry fumed silently, Merlin, Snape would never agree to help and even if he did, how could the two of them possibly work together?
"I know it's a complicated potion,"
"Quite beyond your skills," Snape murmured.
"And I was wondering if you would help me," Harry concluded.
Snape paused before speaking. The minute Potter began to talk he knew where this conversation was headed. Severus thought of his options. He could tell Potter 'No', Severus mused; after all, he did not owe the boy anything.
Of course, the headmaster would be displeased, Severus thought, what he needed was a way to refuse Potter without making himself look bad.
UPCOMING:
CHAPTER 22 BELIEVE
CHAPTER 23 IMPOSSIBLE
CHAPTER 24 MUM'S THE WORD
CHAPTER 25 THEORIES
CHAPTER 26
CHAPTER 27 DAY AT THE MINISTRY (OFFICIAL)
CHAPTER 28 HAPPY? BIRTHDAY
Okay, I need your help with something…Lucius Malfoy…I don't believe I mentioned anything about his status...should he still be in Azkaban, or should be have 'released' by the wonderfully incompetent ministry?
Thanks to everyone who is reading/reviewing this fic. Also Thanks to juliedecarson for her wonderful work asbeta.
4/30/2006