*A*I*M*
"Beyond all Sciences, Philosophies, Theologies and Histories - a child's relentless inquiry is truly all it takes
To remind us that we don't know as much as we think we know."
Adventures in Magick by Pseudonymous Entity
Summary: What if the first friend Harry made in the magical world was a goblin? Curious!Harry.
Characters: Harry Potter, Goblins, Twins, Blonds, Prefects, Scholars, Vampires, Accidental Masterminds
Warnings: Harry's curiosity, and luck, is somewhat awe inspiring. suggestions for additional warnings will be taken in to consideration)
AN: As always I welcome thoughts, questions, guesses, theories and limericks. In whichever order of importance you feel inclined to give.
ANx2: Hopefully things will get settled here and I will once more be able to devote myself to your reading entertainment.
ANx3: Insert plot twist here...
ANx4: 7/25 I've come back and rewritten/added pieces here and there to make it fit in with what comes nexct a bit better. Quite looking forward to sharing the next chapter with you.
Ever Yours, Pseu [The clever, magnificent and ridiculously good looking]
Ch. 26
"Limerance, a psychological term.
Meaning an obsessive love, a state that's almost like a drug. Need, like a wolf, paces the perimeter of your world.
Back and forth. Back and forth. Never letting up.
...the new appetites within you, kicking their feet and clawing to get out."
-Gemmell
Tonks left them not long after that.
Meanwhile, the students gossiped amongst themselves. In the midst of it, Neville thought -privately- that a place like Hogwarts was a dangerous place for a young magic user to find themselves bitten by curiosity. At least, those not called Black. Just to his side sat Harry Black. The most curious lad he'd ever met. Or perhaps, he found himself thinking time to time, far too knowing for one so new to magic. It was...uncanny.
Terry Boot joined them then with his head of tight curls shining in the candlelight. He came bearing his signature wide smile. Not as intimidating as Blaise's nor as confusing as Harry's. Terry, rather, was a clever sort of mischievous that also put Nevile just a little bit on edge. Perhaps because it wasn't as warm at Harry's twins' smiles. It was too warm even. Burning.
No wonder the boy had taken a fancy to Harry. All the oddest sort of people seemed to.
Poor Harry.
"And here I thought," Terry began, standing a half step back from the table in the space between Draco and Harry. "I thought the most exciting thing to happen today was Peeves stealing the spirit cakes and sweets dishes from the windowsills."
Draco turned his cheek against his goblet to hide his annoyed expression. He didn't much like Terry. Or anyone but Harry really. The blonde let out a breath and spoke in a tone impressively void of dislike. "I hope that is only a rumour, and I'll thank you not to spread gossip."
Neville frowned. Peeves wouldn't really do that, would he? The wizard Neville new only by Harry Black's nickname of 'Scruffy' leant across the table and patted Neville's hand briefly as if he guessed what he'd been thinking.
"It is most likely a rumour or a prank. I don't think Peeves would dare."
"What I'd like to know," Said Blaise, "is what could have happened that they find it necessary to interrupt the feast to take attendance instead of having the prefects take an estimated headcount. They could verify it once we're back in the dorms and send off a parchment to our heads of house so they know whom to look for if they aren't present. Why do they need to know right now, I wonder?"
Blaise had that look in his eye he often got when took too long between blood pops. To be fair that had only ever happened twice and both times were on purpose and to mess with his roommates' heads. Blaise was very careful with his feedings. Still, he had that look. That predatory examination where you could almost feel his brain cells sharpening and clawing and puzzling out strengths and weaknesses. On the bright side, it was directed at the situation rather than a person and he had a blood pop only moments ago. Hadn't he?
"They are trying to take account of the damage." Murmured Harry. He could feel the table turning its eyes on him, though his own were set on the high table. "They're trying to see if this is something they'll need to explain to cover up, or if it is something they can brush off easily. They'll probably be able to brush it off because they're in charge and they're respectable, you know? People will believe them because they want to believe them, they want things to be normal and everything to be okay...especially when it is obvious it is not. I think something has happened. Something bad. I don't think they're certain they cover it up..."
Harry's voice trailed off.
Sloth was watching him, Harry knew. Watching too closely and seeing to well as he always seemed to. He'd already decided it was best to keep him near where he could keep an eye on him rather than not and haven't a clue what he may be up to. It was always better to know about possible enemies than to ignore them and hope they went away. He hoped Sloth wouldn't be his enemy, he liked him. Still, the Dursleys had taught him well.
The wizards of Harry's thoughts rested his cheek against his hand thoughtfully, eyes lazily sweeping the hall. "What do we think has happened then? Tonks mentioned they found a student. Do you think they lied?" Sloth couldn't have appeared less concerned about it if he tried. It was noticed, however, that he was keeping his eyes open and aware, and not shutting them tightly with his face buried in his arms attempting to keep the world out as well. That was interesting. And alarming.
Did Sloth think the adults were lying?
"Perhaps whatever hurt them isn't contained." Said Neville. He barely refrained from hunching his shoulders when attention directed his way. It was difficult to get used to others caring what he had to say. "Or they can't control whatever it is."
Draco rose a pale brow. "It?"
"My Twins are missing." Said, Harry. The raven haired first year wriggled in his chair, doing his best to ignore the urge to go and fetch them before whatever happened to the mystery student happened to them as well. Then again, his twins were very clever. Perhaps he needn't worry. Still...they ought to be here. Why weren't they here? He stopped and took a breath. No need to get himself worked up. If they truly were in danger he would be no help at all if he couldn't keep his head. Still...
"I could cause a disturbance." Blaise offered. His golden eyes glimmered with a worry his wide grin hid well. He would not have to follow through on his offer because, as always when it involved Harry, his luck, for good or for ill, stepped in. A loud thump reverberated throughout the room, causing instantaneous silence.
"That was fast." Harry beamed at Blaise.
Blaise sat up straight and pretended to nod solemnly. "Anything for you, rabbit.
Draco scoffed. "I can't say that sounds promising."
"I...don't think that was Blaise, Harry." Whispered Neville. He could hear odd skritching noises. Glanced up he started. Had he seen the shadow of something climbing to the roof?
A prefect -and where had they been?- darted in through the main doors, crossing the chamber toward the high table, shouting as they did, "Robins! Some of the ceiling has collapsed in the west wing and there's at least-" Their voice cut off suddenly as they reached the high table.
Draco's silver eyes narrowed. A privacy barrier. They really didn't want the students to know what was happening.
This entire scene resulted in chaos amongst the children and teenagers. Not that there hadn't been a mild dose of it sprinkled in already with the unorthodox attendance taking. With it being Halloween and the children hyped on sweets and loose magic they easily fed off one another, fear begetting fear.
"Why are birds frightening?" Asked Harry, frowning.
Scruffy cleared his throat from where he had half-risen in his seat to speak to someone at the table behind them. "Robins. Hobgoblins. It would appear master Peeves has in fact stolen the spirit cakes and sweet from the windowsills."
Another thud echoed outside the doors.
They glanced at one another. With a finger to his lips, Blaise nodded at the side door. Harry grinned, nodded, and they slowly moved from the table and edged their way to the door. No one seemed to be paying them any attention. True to human nature they were all far too concerned with either their own safety or in not being held responsible. It would seem, thought Harry, the flaws of man had their purposes. For sneaking away, for instance.
Draco was certain he heard Neville muffle a groan. It must be hard to be the responsible one in the group he thought viciously. He fully intended to join Harry on his adventures, provided he prevented mechanical creatures from gobbling him up. He drew the line at being digested thank you very much.
Only the group hadn't sneaked quite as well as they thought.
The door shut behind them and they turned to see Sloth there, hands in the pockets of his robes. He cocked a brow and looked them over. "Well? Haven't you got friends to fetch?" He started down the hall.
"You're not going to tell us to go back?" Draco called when no one else moved.
Sloth slowed his pace and answered without looking back at them. "I've got a little project I need to check up on and I've been waiting for a moment to get away all night. They're just hobgoblins and probably only a couple. Peeves can't have stolen all of the spirit cakes. Thus, I assume you'll be safe enough. Meet back up with me here and we'll say, should anyone think to ask, that I escorted you lot to find your friends. Now, move quickly," His voice called, getting quieter as he moved away from them and farther down the hall. "They're a bit bigger than the brownies and have a nasty sense of humour but they're easily distracted. Good luck."
With a shrug Harry started down the hall, his friends following. Taking the place to his right Draco stared at the disappearing back of Sloth. "He's hiding something." Said Draco.
Harry nodded. "Yup." But he didn't have time to worry about that. They had friends to save!
"He's really just leaving us isn't he?" Asked Neville.
Terry Boot stopped beside him grinning his too warm, sparkling grin. "Would you rather he'd given us a detention?"
"Guess not." Neville sighed and started forward.
"If we get tied to the ceiling by our hair and left there for hours by the hobgoblins don't expect me to remember anything other than you lot ignoring my offer of common sense to not do this." Called Draco. No one bothered pointing out he was in the front with Harry and already walking down the hall.
Blaise glanced around. "I don't suppose I would be allowed to-"
"No Blaise." Draco interrupted. His soft voice somehow managing to seem loud. "You may not stalk or hunt Harry's Twins."
Harry pulled out his map. "I suppose this is as good a time as any to activate an experimental array to track magical signatures and reveal their general location in relation to myself and the layout I've arranged of the castle. I haven't been everywhere yet so... I can't guarantee how accurate this is gonna be." Harry rambled all of this off as he opened his map up backward to look at the undrawn side of it. This had 'smudges' that were, in fact, Runic equations drawn out in light coloured potions meant to enhance their intention. Or so Harry reasoned from the fragmented education he was getting on Runes and Arithmancy through the paperwork he did for Sloth. When he said experimental he'd really meant it. He reassured himself if he accidentally got some of them killed he could always go back and fix it. Life was a lot less frightening when you had a mistake eraser.
Harry pouted mentally. Master Snape was gonna yell at him again.
The runic equation lit up on the parchment, light shining on Harry's face nearly as brightly as his too-large eyes. He looked over it quickly, walking just as quickly, while his group of friends followed behind him with high amounts of curiosity. It was hard not to develop a possible unhealthy dose of it when you hang around Harry for long.
"How...how even." Neville blinked. Maybe Harry really was an evil genius.
Their only Slytherin lead them through shortcuts they'd never known about. His map indicating the twins were -how lucky- in the dungeon area. Hopefully not the area that had bits of collapsed ceiling. Draco was not dressed for hard labour. Eventually, they came into a hall that Neville knew well. Up ahead you could get to his house common room, go down toward the potions academics area or...
"The kitchens!"
There just outside a patch of the wall the hobgoblins -and there were certainly more than a few!- were positioned around a portrait hole. They could see the poor house elves skittering back from the hobgoblins. They swiped out at the house-elves with limbs that were too long for their body, which -while being larger than a common house elf's- weren't large enough to warrant such long limbs. Bouncing back and forth on their feet and in slow, agile movements they looked altogether quite eerie in the darkened hallway. All long and thin and nearly brittle looking. Light from inside the kitchens glistened upon sharpened teeth and clever eyes. Suddenly flashes of spellwork came from within.
They looked at one another.
"Of course. Of course, this is where they are." Draco huffed.
Terry turned his grin upon an unimpressed scion. "Come on Malfoy. Let's distract the nasty Robins, shall we?"
And so they found themselves trying different things to steal the hobgoblins' attentions away from their friends. The only problem with this seems to be the hobgoblins' short attention span. Moving targets were just so much more interesting than the flashes of light or odd sounds. Those came and went just as quickly. But the tiny brownies in the kitchens and the two spots of bright red hair, they kept moving about and making fun shrieking noises. Far more interesting. To a hobgoblin at least.
In the midst of their attempts, something they'd done seemed to work, for a good chunk of the goblins stilled and began to stare at them. They started loping toward them with their gangly limbs. The group stopped and back away quickly. Perhaps they hadn't thought this through. One hobgoblin, in particular, came toward Harry, eyes locked on the small Slytherin. Long fingers reaching out-
Blaise was in front of Harry, arms out to block him from view. A low rumble came from within the vampire that caused the hair to stand up on all of their necks. The hobgoblin decidedly changed its mind about pursuing Harry and loped passed them. Harry hadn't been their target anyway. It was when the constant stream of soft sarcasm stopped that they realized their mistake. Harry turned from Blaise to see the Hobgoblins wrapping their too long limbs about Draco, pulling him away, back toward the others. Harry's eyes widened. Draco! He started running toward them, no longer afraid of the hobgoblins.
To his frustration he found himself being held in place.
"Let me go!" He ordered.
"I'm sorry, rabbit," Blaise murmured in his ear. The vampire had his arms wound tightly around Harry, body half-turned to keep himself between Harry and the hobgoblins. On the far side of the hall, the hobgoblins swarmed around Draco, examining his hair and his fair skin. Pulling and yanking at whatever bits of him they could reach. The blonde's eyes were wide. Harry didn't think he was breathing. One of the hobgoblins pulled too hard and Draco went down on the floor with a smack. They all stilled, a strange chittering sound went around.
Harry felt hot tears pouring down his cheeks. "I have to help him."
One of them came forward and helped Draco up. Immediately after another was there to push him down again. Two hobgoblins clapped. Delighted.
Harry. Was. Furious. His anger so bold and so sharp he could feel it building inside of him, pushing through his veins, down his arteries, against his ribs. Pushing and building and growing. His body vibrated with the specific, feral intensity his fury reached. That was his cousin. His friend. And they'd stolen him away. Draco was frightened and hurt and they kept doing what they were doing anyway. It wasn't right. That was his cousin and they were going to give him back. With a burst of magic, Harry broke free from a startled Blaise's arms and darted forward. It was happening again. He acknowledged it in the back of his mind. His magic was rising up around him, out of his control, though this time it was in the defense of someone else.
Behind him his friends watched in awed, terrified silence as Harry's magic became a vibrant violet shimmer in the air, swirling about their small leader, reaching out and swirling around the hobgoblins. It blew around the hall like a fierce wind, hot and sharp. It wrapped around the hobgoblins pulling them into the air and whipped faster and faster until their long limbs twirled in the air and broke with frightening cracks all over the hall. The hobgoblins further away shrieked and hissed, calling out in some unknown language. And then it stopped. The hobgoblins fell to the floor. The ones lucky enough not to be lying broken on the ground seemed to take a collective vote to leave for they loped away in a muted cacophony of hisses and foreign tongue.
Curled against the wall was Draco. He stared at Harry, who -shaky and guilty and pleased and guilty some more- stared back. Would he be afraid, Harry wondered. Would all of his friends be? Would they treat him differently now that they knew what his magic could do? What he could do. Would do. Would they look at him and see...a freak? Draco straightened and took in a breath. His shoes made no sound on the ground as he ran to his smaller cousin, throwing his arms around him and pulling him against him fiercely. Blonde hair blocked Harry's vision but he couldn't find it in himself to care.
His magic may have gone too far. It may have been entirely out of his control and may need to examine this at a later date, but right now? He had his cousin back.
That was all that mattered to Harry.
They cleaned themselves off while the house elves cheered for Harry and the Twins inspected both Harry and Draco for signs of damage. The redheads were far more serious than either boy had ever seen them. They didn't realize the extent of the guilt and anger the third years felt at being unable to be the ones to protect Harry or Draco. To be the ones both had risked themselves to save when it ought to be the other way around.
In the back, Blaise had fun frightening the one hobgoblin, broken on the ground, left living. Beside him stood Terry Boot. He was the one using the spell to hold the Robin in place, prevent its sad, fruitless attempts to flee from the angry vampire. His face, as always, was sunny and pleased and too warm. It made Neville twitchy and nervous.
It was he, Neville, who spoke first. The others were...preoccupied. He knew what they need to do. He knew to keep Harry safe they would have to relocate themselves. No one must ever know what had happened. "We need to go. Now. Before we're found here." No one argued. None of them wanted to have to explain what had happened. None of them could explain it.
They walked through the halls back the way they had come, Harry and Draco once more in the lead with Harry's map. The Twins behind them keeping watch. When they reached the side door they stopped and looked around. No sign of Sloth. Harry shrugged. "Let's wait a bit. I can always take us to his lab if he takes much longer." The group plopped on the ground, still coming down from the adrenaline rush of their latest adventure.
Blaise pulled out his blood pop and pointed at Harry with it. "How is it you know where his-"
"Why is there a ward on the door?" Terry interrupted.
Blaise popped his lollipop back in his mouth, stood and walked to stand beside Terry. They both looked at the door. Blaise brought out his wand and flicked it. He paused, cocked his head, flicked it again. "There is a ward on the door. I don't know which ward it is." He said this with some confusion evident in his voice.
"Ah, so you haven't gone in yet. Interesting."
They all whirled around to see Sloth. The older wizard stood there with his bag, looking more awake than normal. Focused. "The other door is locked as well. None of us will be getting in for some time I'm afraid." He walked passed Blaise and Terry, placing his hand on the door. He nodded to himself. "Just the same as the others then."
"What is it?" Draco demanded, losing his patience when Sloth seemed content to stare at the wards.
Sloth looked over his shoulder. "A quarantine."
Pseudonymous Entity
2016
Notes: Thoughts? Guesses? Questions? Theories? Limericks?
-Pseu
Post. Script. I only did a very quick look through/edit before I posted this. I wanted to get it out to you while I had the chance. I apologize for the errors it is most likely littered with. I will go back and fix them soon.
AN: I have a lot going on IRL, and I haven't had time to get on here. I am very sorry. I hope a new chapter might make up for it?
-Ever Yours. Pseu