Chapter 37
Life and Death
"Both come for us all."
General (ret.) Jigme Dorji Wengshuk
Daddy studied the handprint closely. Harriet sat by the fireplace with Mum and her sisters.
"It's… the damndest thing…" Daddy said, finally shaking his head.
"What is it, Daniel?" Professor McGonagall asked.
"It's… touch this pane of glass…"
As Daddy, a man, could not go up the girl's staircase to the girls' dormitories, Professor McGonagall had removed the whole window and brought it down to him.
"It's… still cold," Professor McGonagall declared, touching the same pane of glass as the handprint.
"Right…" Daddy said, touching the other ones.
Harriet took that to mean the others were all warmed up.
"We should go to my office," Professor McGonagall said. "Albus left behind many of his old instruments. There may be some of them that can tell us more about what is going on here…"
Daddy sighed. "You're right."
He rose from his seat and crossed to his family.
"I'll be back as soon as I can," he assured them.
Harriet could only nod. Something bizarre was going on. This wasn't the first time something strange had happened to Harriet since returning to Hogwarts. Memories were starting to recover. There had been the night when she was living in Ursula House where she'd dreamed someone was watching her and left fingerprints on the window sill. Then there was the night with Madam Irene collecting wolfsbane. Harriet remembered walking back with Madam Irene, then suddenly waking up in her bed. Finally, there was the other day when she heard a new voice in the Hog's Head.
"Harriet…" Mum said in a careful tone.
Harriet looked up at her.
"You're sure this wasn't Hyland—I mean—Jerrad?"
Harriet shook her head.
"It wasn't him… this was a man… I've seen Hyland's other side before, and he's the same age as Hyland. If it weren't for little things like eye and hair colour, they'd look identical…"
Mum nodded.
"Okay, sweetie…"
Nan shivered. "So, freaking freaky…"
Rosie raised an eyebrow but said nothing about the odd wording. Hermione was pacing, muttering to herself.
"It just doesn't make sense…" Hermione said. "You were screaming for nearly a minute before we finally woke you."
Harriet hung her head a little. She couldn't help but feel a sense of shame at having gone to pieces so quickly, even if it was a dream. Harriet sincerely hoped it was. She was ready to wake up back in her bed again.
Harriet could hear Rachel, Tori, and Basheera whispering in the corner. They kept giving her worried looks. Harriet was suddenly grateful for her Legilimency. Before now, she probably would have assumed they were starting to think like Parvati and Lavender. But with only them, Harriet, and her family down here, Harriet could tell they were genuinely just worried about her.
It was one of the more amazing feelings Harriet had that year. She just wished it were under better circumstances.
"So… where do we sleep, now?" Ronnie asked. "I mean… our room's not really safe anymore is it if some nutter could just get in?"
Harriet looked over at Ronnie. One look in Ronnie's eyes and she knew. Ronnie believed her. Even if Harriet wanted it to be a dream, Ronnie believed her that it really had happened. There had been someone in their room. Harriet had seen something.
"You believe me, then?" Harriet couldn't help but ask.
"Oh yeah," Ronnie shrugged. "I mean you were hearin' voices all second year and you were right about that. Weird stuff happens around you and usually turns out to be real…"
The little group fell silent again. Harriet rested her head back on the sofa, looking up at the ceiling. In spite of everything that had happened, she was mentally, physically, and emotionally exhausted.
To think the day had started so nicely…
Harriet awoke slowly. She was back in her bed. Her curtains had been drawn shut. She lay her head back on her pillow.
It had all been a dream, after all.
Someone grunted directly to Harriet's right. She looked over and saw Rosie lying there, still sound asleep. Harriet looked to her left and saw Nan sleeping there. Harriet groaned.
It had been real. It was real.
Harriet rubbed her forehead. She pondered how best to extricate herself from the bed without waking her sisters. For some reason, she wanted to be alone.
As slowly as she could, Harriet slid the covers down far enough to lift her legs out. She scooted as smoothly as she could to the foot of the bed and slipped out onto her trunk.
Harriet first looked to the windows. Light was coming through both, but Harriet noted that there were now solid metal bars fitted over the insides. Mum was sleeping on a camp bed in the middle of the room. Harriet saw her wand clutched tightly in her hand.
Harriet moved to the window. The glass had been replaced, and the handprint was gone. Harriet pondered the pane through the bars. Daddy had said it was still cold well after being brought inside and handled. What did that mean?
"Morning, sweetie," Mum said, sitting up slowly combing back her flowing golden locks.
"Morning," Harriet replied quietly.
"How'd you sleep?"
Harriet shrugged.
"You passed out hard. We had to float you up here to get you in bed," Mum explained, smiling kindly. "Want to go get some tea?"
Harriet nodded. She dressed, and after leaving a note for the twins, together went down to the Great Hall. It was peaceful having the school be so quiet.
"Every other dormitory window was inspected last night," Mum explained. "So, I'm sure most students are lying in."
"Did Daddy ever figure out what it was?"
Mum shook her head. "He's never seen anything like it before. Neither has Professor McGonagall. By five this morning it was still cold, and the handprint hadn't vanished. We're waiting for Professor Morrisey to return and have a look at it."
Harriet grimaced, yet she couldn't help but appreciate Mum for not sugar-coating things for her.
"No other windows showed any signs of entry or anything like the handprint," Mum confirmed.
Mum gave Harriet a slightly more serious look.
"Harriet… the face you saw… are you sure that it wasn't Hyland's other form?"
"Yeah, I'm sure," Harriet replied. "This was a man. This was definitely a man… about Daddy's height. He was standing right behind me… and yet… it was like he was outside at the same time…"
Harriet rubbed her forehead. She was starting to piece things back together in her mind.
"He was young, though… maybe… maybe Bill or Charlie Weasley's age…? The only two times I saw Jerrad—you know, the split-side—Jerrad was around my age."
Mum nodded, digesting that.
"They're not still bothering him, are they?"
Mum sighed. "They're trying not to… everyone's worried about what might happen if they upset him too much. We still know almost nothing about that side of him. If Hyland feels attacked, will Jerrad come out to his defence, for instance?"
"Fair…" Harriet ceded.
"It's the uncertainty that makes everything so difficult," Mum admitted. "The Order's going nuts trying to keep it all together."
"We've been, too…"
"Yes, little rebel," Mum said glancing sideways at Harriet.
Harriet rubbed her arm.
"Honestly, I'm proud of you," Mum admitted.
Harriet blinked. "Mum…?"
"That takes initiative," Mum said. "Most kids would just try and keep their heads down and get through."
Not like I haven't tried…
"I know times are hard…" Mum told her. "But think of all the lectures you've had in History of Magic."
Harriet thought it would be imprudent to tell Mum that the only lectures she could remember were the ones post Professor Binns.
"Lots of wars like this have happened over the years… there was Grindelwald, there was Voldemort's first rise, for the Muggles there was the Second World War and the rise of the Third Reich… in every case, the light won out. And in one of those cases, it was you who saved it, even though you were just a baby."
Mum stopped and put her hands on Harriet's arms, looking deep in her eyes.
"You're a symbol to people all around the world," Mum said. "There are burdens with that, but you give people hope. You make them smile just by hearing your name. And you didn't do it by just being a pretty face on a magazine… you've done it with your grace and your grit and your heart."
Harriet was having a tough time not smiling.
Sunday was universally subdued throughout the school. The weather remained dismal, a depressing mixture of snow and rain. As a result, as much as they'd missed him, they opted not to go see Hagrid at his cabin.
They did flag him down in the entrance hall just before lunch.
"Well 'ello again, you lot," Hagrid beamed down at them all.
Everyone tried to look happy to see him, but in the bright daylight of the entrance hall, Hagrid's appearance looked even worse than it had in his hut the previous night.
It was still good to have time to sit and talk proper Hogwarts with Hagrid. Everyone was leery of the subject of his first lesson back. Hagrid wasted no time in making sure all their worries were justified.
"Now don't you go worryin' yer heads about nuthin'," Hagrid said, doing his best to wink with a swollen shut eye.
"Could you… at least tell us what the creature will be?" Hermione asked, both hopeful and terrified.
"Ah now, you know me! I'm not one fer spoilin' surprises!" Hagrid boasted.
Harriet really couldn't tell if he was being ironic or not.
They followed him into the Great Hall where he went up to the staff table while they moved to their usual spot at the Gryffindor table. All through lunch, Harriet could feel Umbridge's eyes on her.
"She knows," Harriet told her friends as they headed back to Gryffindor Tower.
"But she can't prove anything," Dora insisted. "And even then, we didn't have Fern sent away, the MACUSA and Captain Kane did."
Dora had a point, but Harriet wasn't reassured. Harriet was sure Umbridge was almost panicking over where Fern had gone. Fern was leverage, and a source of information against Harriet, a tool that Umbridge would have continued to use were Fern still around.
Now Harriet had time to sleep on it, sending Fern away was the best thing for everyone. Kieran and Hermione, however, were still barely speaking, and Harriet knew all too well it was not their exhaustion.
"Not everything's so bad though," Scott said, trying to sound more chipper as they headed back to Gryffindor tower.
Everyone gave him sceptical looks. Scott did not look the least bit perturbed, however.
"Well, look at them," Scott said, pointing down a corridor.
It was Draco and Kenley, sitting together on a bench. They were murmuring, much too far away to hear. Kenley was holding a beautifully wrapped package in her lap, in the process of opening it.
"We should give them some privacy," Hermione insisted.
Harriet couldn't help but agree. As much as she loved snooping, she was beginning to learn many things were just not her business. She still thought Draco had been following her on Kinney's orders, but if Kinney wanted to hurt her, he'd have done it by now, and he'd do it himself. If there was one thing anyone could say about Kinney, it was that he wasn't afraid to get his hands dirty.
Draco's entire world had been turned upside down over the last few years. Him and Kenley finding at least a tiny moment of happiness was something he'd earned. Even if during their first couple of years he'd been a twat.
Harriet slowly narrowed her eyes. Something wasn't right. What if it wasn't Malfoy following her around? She knew he had been performing admirably in Occlumency but was he able to perform the Disillusionment charm? What if who or whatever was following her was the strange figure in the window?
"You think he's going to be okay?" Marcus asked looking over his shoulder, before sighing. "I mean… he was a git, but… he's really come around. What's going to happen to his Mum? Or his Dad? You-Know-Who's not exactly the forgiving type, by reputation…"
"He really isn't," Harriet confirmed, remembering how Voldemort had let Crouch, Jr cast the Cruciatus Curse on the Death Eaters back in the graveyard.
They also passed Professor Weasley on their way back to Gryffindor Tower. It was awkward as ever, given Ronnie had still not yet forgiven Percy for his past transgressions against the family, but Harriet did her best to give him an encouraging smile.
After he passed, Harriet suddenly felt a sense of warning. She'd once treated Professor Quirrell much the same way when they thought Professor Snape was trying to get the Philosopher's Stone. Was she making the same mistake again? What if Percy was trying to trick Captain Kane into something? Maybe they wanted to discredit the ICW's investigation? That sounded like something Fudge, and Umbridge would try to do.
Then again, there was the Ursula House students' reaction to Percy. Why would Umbridge turn them all against Percy? What if it wasn't just Umbridge? What if Percy had played a role in the attack? Was Percy trying to double-cross Umbridge to save his skin?
Harriet tried hard to push that sickening thought from her mind. Instead, she thought about the strange incident with the window. What had happened that night? Had she seen something or was it all in her head?
It had to have been real. What else could have left that handprint? And it wasn't the only time something similar happened. But that handprint was a lot more tangible than just some disappearing fingerprints in dew.
The experiences were similar: Harriet seeing something, then waking up in bed as though nothing had happened. Yet, something had happened this time. Then there was that night with Madam Irene. What happened that she couldn't remember? She was walking back and then she was in bed. Until then, she'd thought she'd just been tired and forgotten the more mundane return to her bed, but after this incident, Harriet wasn't so sure.
She thought hard about other things. Suddenly, a light clicked on in her mind. She remembered the day she'd first heard Jerrad's voice in her mind in the Hog's Head. He'd talked about a black-eyed man. The black-eyed man wanted her safe. Jerrad had black eyes.
Was this 'black-eyed man' another Split Man, like Jerrad? A grown, more powerful one? Jerrad could do things no normal human could, even with magic. Harriet had seen him take great leaps through the air, clean over Hagrid's head. He'd hurled burning building beams many times his weight, and almost rip a lamppost from the ground. Harriet shuddered to imagine what he could do if fully grown.
Harriet thought about the second time she'd heard Jerrad. There'd been another voice that time. It had called Jerrad 'my boy'. Did that mean that perhaps this 'black-eyed man' was Jerrad's father? How could she find out? Somehow, Harriet had to get back to the Hog's Head.
It was dinner, and Umbridge still wouldn't take her eyes off Harriet. However, Harriet found she had unexpected and emboldened guests visiting her at the Gryffindor table.
"We heard…" Holly said quietly as she sat across from Harriet.
"She's safe now…?" Krystelle asked, sitting with Dora. "She's really in America?"
Harriet could only nod, prodding her stew unenthusiastically with her spoon.
"I can't believe him," Colm groaned. "I mean… I wish I could have—y'know, seen him—but… he took such a risk…"
The group fell silent. Harriet looked up at Holly's girlfriend, Ashley, who was also sitting across from Harriet. She was looking awkward and out of place.
"So, I've never gotten to know you as well as some of the other Americans," Harriet said.
"I… keep to myself," Ashley said.
Harriet felt a wave of suspicion and defensiveness from Holly. She was definitely shrewd. It was written all over her face as well.
Yet, Harriet was genuinely curious about Ashley. She supposed it would probably be best if she asked others like Rachel and Tori about her.
Then again, now that Harriet thought about her tone, she supposed she had been a little accusatory and rude. She could have at least been more polite about it. But she was so exhausted and stressed out she didn't know how to bring herself to sound any different.
They passed the rest of the afternoon and evening quietly. Harriet knew few of the Gryffindors knew about what had happened that night. Few had heard the screams, and it seemed the few who had just no longer questioned strange things happening in the middle of the night. Mostly, everyone was still sulking about the first Quidditch loss to Slytherin since Harriet joined the team.
According to Katy Tyler, Ginny had offered to resign from the team. To Harriet's surprise, Angelina had refused. Katy said that Angelina knew Ginny had it in her; she just needed more experience. She'd damn near beaten Malfoy, who had been flying at his best.
Harriet had to admit Angelina was right. With more practice, Ginny would be exceptional. That was her very first match flying against a fifth-year with four years of experience and a faster broomstick.
Something else struck Harriet. Angelina had a chance to get Harriet back if Ginny had offered it. Yet she hadn't taken it.
Harriet slid down a bit further in her seat at that realisation. She had no idea how to take that.
"Hey, Harriet?"
Harriet turned to look up at Rachel's smiling face.
"Know you're tired, but we should have our meeting, now."
Harriet nodded. She rose and followed Rachel over to the table where the rest of the team was gathered. Erica greeted them with a warm smile.
"Ladies."
Harriet and Rachel sat.
"Firstly, that was a great first outing. Katy, great thinking with O'Brien the Lion, we're going to use that from now on. No one's ever going to forget it."
"Thanks, Cap'n," Katy grinned proudly.
"Harriet, that was some of your best stunt-work I've seen. Keep it up."
Harriet felt her cheeks warm. "I just… really got into it…"
"You're great at this," Nan grinned.
"Yeah, your time as a Seeker helps, you can tell," Demelza added.
Erica was rubbing her cheek in thought.
"Yeah, boss?" Romilda asked, noticing.
"Just thinking…" Erica said. "Maybe some broom training could give us an edge… if we have to get to the middle part of the 'compliment sandwich,' we could use some work on our synchronisation, and our flips…"
Tori hung her head. "Still too worried I'm going to just land flat on my face…"
"We can work on it," Erica smiled. "We'll spend the next month until the holiday just working on flips and unity. I think everything else we have. We can add broomstick training to help us feel comfortable off our feet."
This went a long way to cheering Harriet up.
"Fred and George say they're almost done with our effects," Erica added. "Professor Weasley says we can't quite do all the ideas Fred and George had in mind, because they might disrupt the matches…"
"I'm guessing everything involved their fireworks?" Harriet asked.
The gathered teens giggled. Erica didn't need to confirm that for them all to know it was true.
Erica turned her attention back to Harriet.
"Hare," Erica said kindly.
Harriet studied the many carvings on the table-top. Erica was going to ask about the night before.
"We just want you to know if you're having a hard time, we're all here for you," Erica said.
Harriet's head bounced back up.
"If you're ever worried about sleeping in your room or just need someone, we're here, okay? We're a team and a family."
Harriet knew she was blushing. She felt herself growing emotional again. On the one hand, she was touched that they were showing her support in their concern; on the other, she still felt weak, somehow. Even Rachel had stopped having her night-terrors ages ago.
Harriet ran a hand through her hair and thought. Finn would want her to be happy. Finn would want her to accept their help and be happy. Harriet looked back at her friends still sitting around the fire. In spite of Fern, they all looked back at her and smiled, even Kieran and Hermione.
Harriet thanked them all, sincerely. She wasn't alone. Her friends weren't abandoning her, and she was gaining new friends. Her world was growing. She just needed the perspective to see it.
"Hey, I haven't had time to ask, but how's your sister after everything yesterday?" Harriet asked Katy, remembering.
Katy smiled but still rolled her eyes. "She's… adjusting. He got her a birthday present. He gave it to her today though her birthday's not really until tomorrow. They figured they wouldn't have time tomorrow."
Harriet nodded, remembering the little scene from earlier.
"He's a git, but his heart's in the right place, finally," Demelza observed. "Can't believe I was scared of him in my first year."
Romilda shivered. "Me too…"
"I always wanted to stab him in his stupid face…" Minako sniffed.
"Mina!" Katy laughed.
"You can still stab Pansy or Pixie?" Rachel offered.
The table dissolved into deeper laughter.
Sirius whistled. "That does sound rather rough…"
Harriet rolled her eyes. She was utterly exhausted, but she was a bit reluctant to sleep in her room again so soon, and after seeing Remus the previous day, she'd realised she was also missing Sirius quite a bit as well.
Sirius gave her a sad smile. "Sorry, Kiddo… not exactly the best at consolation."
"I still just don't know what to do about any of this…" Harriet sighed. "There's just so much going on, everything coming and going…"
"If you ask me, I say your most immediate adversary is this Umbridge," Sirius mused.
"I think so, too…" Harriet agreed. "I've been reading Wengshuk's books but… They never really feel like they apply."
"Ahhhh, Kiddo, see there's the problem. You're never going through exactly what someone else is or did… you just have to pick and choose what's closest to your situation and go from there."
"Makes sense…"
Sirius studied her thoughtfully. "You ever play cards much?"
"A bit of Exploding Snap from time to time, but I'm not very good…"
"When your dads and I were kids, there was a different game that was all the rage, an old dwarven game called Wengt. It was damn good at helping you think strategically, without being quite as involved as something like Wizard's Chess."
Harriet furrowed her brow.
"I was a rather dab hand… See, in Wengt, the objective is to get the most points and force your opponent to run out of cards. There are two bouts—unless —at the end of two bouts, it's a draw. Then there are three. You see where I'm going yet?"
Harriet shook her head.
Sirius chuckled. "I used to drive James mad because he couldn't quite wrap his mind around it, either. There are different decks, but the most fool-proof way to handle any deck was to get them to give up as many cards up front, in the first bout, as you could. Make them bleed their cards, throw the first or second bout… Make them think they're winning… you see?"
Harriet digested that. That sounded like what a lot of people had been telling her, but it was a lot simpler the way Sirius had put it.
"Like chess, you have to sacrifice a few cards, but you have to trick the enemy into sacrificing more."
"That's a gamble…"
"Everything's a gamble. Walking out your front door's a gamble. But if you don't step into the arena, you're never going to win."
Harriet kept mulling that over. She was starting to get tired at last. She just barely stifled a yawn.
"Get sleep, kiddo," Sirius said kindly.
"I should…" Harriet replied before a smile touched her lips. "So… getting to see more of Professor Spring?"
Sirius sighed. "No, as a point of fact… she's abroad. Up to something with that Nick Sutler bloke and ol' Professor Stratton."
"What are they working on?"
"Honestly, I'd tell you, but to be perfectly frank, even I don't know," Sirius admitted. "All Abby said in her last letter was it would be something fantastic that was going to change the world as we know it…"
"That totally narrows it down."
"Exactly," Sirius chortled.
"Thanks, Sirius…"
"Always, kiddo. Anytime you need me; I'm here. Not exactly like I can go anywhere for the next fortnight."
"Are you being released then?"
"Damn," Sirius grunted. "Ruined the surprise. Yeah, they say they think I'm just about ready to blow this broom shed."
"Oh Sirius," Harriet gasped. "That's so wonderful!"
Sirius beamed. "Rather chuffed about it, myself. Been getting a bit cramped in here."
"Harriet?"
Harriet looked towards the girls' dormitory staircase. All her dormmates were standing there, looking relieved to see her.
"Hey, sorry," Harriet said, waving to them.
"That Sirius?" Ronnie asked, her face brightening with interest.
"Yep," Harriet smiled.
Ronnie hurried over, bumping Harriet to the side a little sliding next to her on the chair.
"Snuffles!" Ronnie beamed.
Sirius laughed. "For decades I've been Padfoot, one little girl calls me Snuffles, and it's all over."
"Snuffles does roll off the tongue a little better," Hermione pointed out, joining them.
"Whoa," Rachel said, "You're Sirius Black?"
"The very same," Sirius chortled.
"Do not tell the Fat Lady," Basheera teased.
Sirius rubbed his head awkwardly.
It was another hour before Harriet finally got into bed. Sirius had a jolly time telling everyone about being in St Mungo's for his injury and how he'd gotten it. Harriet couldn't help but look over at Basheera, Rachel, and Tori's beds. There was now something else she shared with them in her friendship: Sirius.
Harriet took a deep breath. She was safe. What happened was weird, but now there were iron bars on the window. If someone had been in their room that night, he'd gone out the window normally, opening it.
Harriet took one last deep breath. She rubbed DIDS round little plastic tummy and drifted off to sleep at last.
Harriet sat slowly. It was Monday. She'd spent all the previous night preparing for this inevitable moment.
She was back in Umbridge's office. Umbridge was watching Harriet with the most severe expression Harriet had ever seen her wear. There was no façade of sweet, simpering giggles.
"Hello, Miss Potter," Umbridge said.
"Hello, Umbridge," Harriet replied.
Harriet wasn't exactly sure where that came from. It was equal parts defiance and resignation. She was sure about what was coming.
"That is Professor Umbridge, or Counsellor Umbridge, or High Inquisitor," Umbridge said, her eyes narrowing.
"Okay," Harriet replied simply.
"I do not think you realise the seriousness of the situation in which you find yourself, Miss Potter…" Umbridge said.
"No…?"
"Where is Fern Mantovani?"
Harriet shrugged. "No idea."
She wasn't entirely lying. She knew Fern was in America, somewhere in New England, but that was it.
"She was last seen walking with a group of students, including you…"
"She was. She had a bad day, so we took her to Professor McGonagall's," Harriet said.
"And from there…?"
Harriet thought. Tired as she was, she remembered Sirius' advice from the night before. Bleed some cards to make your opponent bleed more.
Harriet narrowed her eyes. Fern was too far away, now. Fern was safe. Fern had been given asylum by the MACUSA. Effectively, she was under their protection.
"She was sent to America," Harriet said.
Umbridge's face went pale in an instant. Harriet smirked.
"Miss Potter…"
"No idea who took her there," Harriet partly lied. "But she's been given asylum. Pretty sure they won't give her back in a hurry."
"I mean… I know the ICW isn't poking their noses too deeply into what you're doing to us British students," Harriet said. "But the MACUSA… they seem to have a bone to pick."
Harriet felt herself swelling. She felt equal parts anger and triumph rising in her. It felt so good to see that look of horror on Umbridge's face for a change.
"And I bet once Fern gets herself clean from all the junk you've been forcing her to drink, and she's going to have a lot of stories to tell…" Harriet smirked wider.
Umbridge was motionless. It was the biggest Harriet had felt in ages.
"Tell me, does Fudge know about what you're doing here?" Harriet asked.
"Leave."
Harriet didn't hesitate. She had to get out without playing too many cards. She also was anxious to get away with just leaving Umbridge upset and not having to use that vile quill. There was still a distinct spring in Harriet's step as she made her way out into the grounds.
She was going to miss Fern, but this might be the best result for everyone involved. Had Fern stayed, the cat and mouse game would have continued. Umbridge would continue using Fern, ruining Fern's health. It had been painful, and Harriet still wished it hadn't gone down the same way, but this was the best way for it to have happened.
Harriet couldn't remember being happier that year. While the previous weekend had been generally awful, the turnaround from standing up to Umbridge had put Harriet in the best of spirits. On top of that, she'd had a marvellous streak of cheer practices. Teaching everyone how to fly a broomstick and the rules of Quidditch made her feel even more a part of the team than she ever had until that point.
To make things better, at their next Occlumency session, Madam Irene had brought letters for Harriet, Hermione, and Kieran from Fern. She'd included photographs of her new home where she was living with Madam Irene and the reconstruction of the school. As the school was in the middle of a Muggle neighbourhood, they had to rebuild it at the same speed Muggles could build.
Harriet couldn't help but smile at Fern in the photographs. It hadn't even been a week, yet the smile on Fern's face was the most real Harriet had seen it since that summer. Fern looked alive again, living a new adventure in a new world, away from people who wanted to hurt and use her.
She'd promised in her letters to write every chance she had. Harriet had no reason to doubt her. It went a long way towards cheering up both Hermione and Kieran as well. Especially Kieran. In fact, Harriet noted that Kieran's letter had included a few extra photos that made Kieran go slightly pink, which he pocketed quickly.
Harriet certainly had not forgotten the strange incident of the window. Unfortunately, Mum had no reassuring news in that regard. Professor Morrisey was studying the window, and that was all she knew.
Thursday did distract Harriet at last from that uncomfortable memory. It was finally time for Hagrid's first Care of Magical Creatures lesson. Harriet started to feel on edge for the first time since being in Umbridge's office. Would Umbridge try to retaliate against Harriet through Hagrid? Did Umbridge know enough about Harriet to know about her connection to Hagrid?
Harriet didn't think so. She couldn't remember telling Fern anything about Hagrid. Nothing on consequence, anyway. However, Umbridge would know about Hagrid being close to Professor Dumbledore and likely a member of the Order. That was more than enough to put a target on his head.
When they arrived at Hagrid's hut, Harriet was relieved to see that Umbridge wasn't there. Maybe she had already inspected a different lesson? Hagrid was beaming around at them all. His face still looked awful. If Harriet wasn't mistaken, there were a few new bruises and cuts on his face.
The scene was made even worse by the half a beef carcass he had hoisted over his back. Fang, the boarhound, was almost apoplectic tugging off a large chunk of meat from the front shoulder.
"Y'already been fed, you dozy dog," Hagrid chuckled, rubbing Fang's head.
"Right, that's all of us. Follow me now. We're going inter the forest today. They prefer the dark."
"What prefers the dark…?" Draco asked, standing near the back of the class.
Harriet remembered the detention she and Draco had back in their first year when they helped Hagrid look for an injured unicorn. Draco hadn't been very brave that night, either. However, Harriet couldn't bring herself to feel the same sense of smugness she might have otherwise felt.
Draco's face was white, and he stood alone. Harriet furrowed her brow a little. The dynamic of the fifth year Slytherin boys had altered considerably. Since Draco had withdrawn into his own world, Crabbe and Goyle had started tagging along after Zabini, who'd stepped up to the 'alpha male' niche in Draco's wake.
The gormless pair were still flanking Zabini. Had Harriet not been at his detention, Harriet would have never guessed it had happened as he stood amongst his usual gang.
Harriet studied him carefully as the class began following Hagrid. The closer she looked, there was something different about Zabini. He'd have generally made at least one joke by now. Harriet noted that he had not said a single word so far. He mostly would snort in laughter at the awful things Pansy Parkinson and Pixie Fanfarró were saying.
His head was tall; his stance erect. He was a little too tall. He had the air of someone doing all he could to stand still as possible. He wasn't tall and strong. He was brittle.
In spite of how awful he had been, Harriet felt an urge to talk to Zabini. He needed to talk to someone who understood. Harriet was sure he blamed her for it happening at all.
"Been savin' a trip inter the forest for your fifth year," Hagrid chirped as he led the students away from his hut. "Thought it'd be best ter see these creatures in their natural habitat. What we're gonner be studyin' terday is really rare. Reckon I got the only domestic pair in Britain, though I 'ave 'eard vampires are fond of 'em as mounts."
Harriet's eyes snapped wide open. At once, she was visited with the memory of strange riders seeming to fly through the air on invisible mounts, which then became visible after they lopped the head off a Death Eater. The same dragon-like horse beasts that pulled the Hogwarts' carriages and only she and Marcus could see.
Harriet glanced at Marcus. He was looking back at her out of the corner of his eye. He'd made the connection, too. He hadn't been in the graveyard, but he'd heard Harriet's tale of the encounter and the vampires that rode the strange, winged horses.
Hagrid turned into the forest. The class followed reluctantly, even Harriet. She was anxious to learn about these strange creatures, but there was more about the forest now that disconcerted Harriet. She still remembered the peculiar night of her lost memory when she'd helped Madam Irene. Not only that, but there had been the strange incident where Celia had sensed something in the forest, something that Madam Irene's magic could not detect.
"Gather 'round," Hagrid beamed at them all, dropping the beef carcass in the middle of a clearing.
"They'll be attracted by the smell'r the meat, but I'm gonner give 'em a call, anyway," Hagrid informed them.
Hagrid shook away his hair and cupped his hands around his mouth. He gave a loud, shrieking cry that sounded even odder coming from Hagrid. The cry echoed through the trees. Harriet felt the hair on her neck rise.
A minute passed, and Hagrid gave another of the wailing cries. The class was finally starting to move a bit, everyone looking around apprehensively for whatever was coming. Hagrid was about to give a third call when Harriet saw it. Marcus saw it, too. He gripped Harriet's arm.
"You see it, right?" he asked.
Harriet nodded.
"See what?" Ronnie hissed.
There were a pair of glowing white eyes approaching from a gap between two trees. It was as if the creature was materialising out of nothing as it moved into the light. First came the dragonish face, followed by the thin, skeletal neck and body. The thin, bat-like wings were folded up along its flanks.
It surveyed the class slowly with its fathomless eyes before walking up to the carcass. It lowered its head and began to take slow bites. Harriet tilted her head. Despite its appearance, Harriet couldn't help but sense some nervousness from the creature. It wanted to eat, but it seemed anxious to have so many students there and kept its white, pupil-less eyes on all the students as it fed.
Harriet studied the rest of the students. Many faces seemed totally unable to see the creature though it stood right in plain sight before them. She noted Neville's eyes following the swishing of its tail. Zabini's nose was wrinkled with disgust as he studied the creature eating. However, Harriet noted that every single American student was watching the beast as it ate.
Harriet heard some trotting. There was no mystery to that sound. Jackson gave a laugh of delight and hurried to the edge of the forest to greet Epeius as he emerged.
"We've already studied him," Pansy Parkinson said shortly.
It was the harshest Pansy could be. Despite her hatred for all things Gryffindor, even she and Pixie had a hard time disliking Epeius. Harriet had to admit; it was difficult to hate a talking horse.
Harriet watched the pair, sadly. She'd forgotten that Umbridge had ordered Epeius to live in the forest instead of the grounds. The school even had stables, though they weren't otherwise used. Harriet's disgust at the foul woman only rose.
"Nah, not him," Hagrid beamed. "Oh, here comes another one!"
Hagrid pointed out a second winged dragon horse emerge and begin to feed on the carcass.
"Show of hands," Hagrid called around. "Who can see 'em?"
Harriet raised hers at once. Hagrid gave her a sad look.
"Aye, knew y'would, Harriet... and you, Marcus... you too, Neville? And you, Zabini? Knew all yeh would," Hagrid said to the Americans.
"And what exactly are we supposed to be seeing?" Pixie Fanfarró asked.
Hagrid pointed to the carcass. The students who couldn't see stared, then some gasped. Parvati squealed. Harriet was still furious with Parvati, but she supposed she understood. The sight of meat being ripped from bones and disappearing into thin air had to be as unsettling a sight as the actual creatures.
"What's doing it?!" Parvati asked. "What's eating it?!"
"Thestrals," Hagrid said simply.
"Oh," Hermione whispered, slowly nodding in comprehension.
"Hogwarts has a whole herd of 'em, one of the only tame herds in existence."
"But they're really unlucky!" Parvati squeaked. "They bring all sorts of misfortune to those who see them!"
"Oh, no, no, no," Hagrid waved a dismissive hand. "Backwards, 'at is. If anything, those who've suffered misfortunes can see 'em. Dead clever and useful, thestrals are. B'sides, yeh kids have been around 'em fer years. They pull the school carriages."
Harriet was starting to feel a tiny bit of relief. Knowing these creatures were real and had been trained by Hagrid went a long way to solving one of the strange new mysteries she'd had since the end of last year.
Marcus seemed to relax as well. Harriet was distracted as two more entered the clearing. One moved within feet of Parvati who had all but wrapped herself around a tree in her fright.
"I think one just went by me," she whimpered.
Harriet couldn't help but give a smug little smirk at Parvati's expense.
"Now, who can tell me why some o'yeh can see 'em, and some can't?"
True to form, Hermione raised her hand.
"Go on, then," Hagrid beamed.
"The Thestral can only be seen by those who have seen death," Hermione said, as ever sounding like she was reciting directly from a book by memory. "By those who have seen someone die."
Hermione turned a sad look on Marcus. He did his best to return a smile but didn't quite pull it off as Hermione squeezed his hand.
"Exactly right," Hagrid said. "Ten points ter Gryffindor. Have yeh all got yer books?"
The class all nodded.
"Excellent. Everyone turn ter page 256. There yeh'll see some artist renderin's ah thestrals, so those of you who can't see 'em can know what we're talkin' about."
The class drew their Monster Books of Monsters from their bags. They all stroked along the spines, and the books ceased their struggles, allowing the class to undo the fastenings and open them to the correct pages. Harriet had to admit the drawings were alright, but somehow did not do justice to the awesome, if slightly terrible, presence of the thestrals.
"This one here's Tenebrus," Hagrid observed, patting one on the shoulder. "He was the first one born live to our herd. Helped raise him from just a colt."
The lecture went on. Harriet was happy to see Hagrid in a good stride after so long away. He seemed to genuinely love the Thestrals, and it showed in his having one of the better lectures Harriet had ever seen him give.
"The exact or'gins o' thestrals is unknown," Hagrid explained. "At least ter wizards. Most theorise they was created by the vampires as the mounts for their Horsemen, their mounted warrior caste."
"They... do ride them," Harriet confirmed. "Saw them..."
Hagrid gave Harriet a sad little nod. "Aye, that they do. Damned terrifyin' sight they are, even fer me."
A gruff, man's voice cleared its throat. Harriet started and looked around. It was Professor Morrisey. He was surveying the class until his eyes found Harriet. They gave her, as ever, the sharp, calculating look that made Harriet feel like some antique furniture being appraised in one of Aunt Petunia's television programmes.
"I'm dreadfully sorry to interrupt, Professor Hagrid," Professor Morrisey said. "But I'm afraid I need to borrow Miss Potter-Dusk."
"Oh, right y'are, Perfesser," Hagrid replied.
By the tone in his voice, Harriet was sure Hagrid knew what Professor Morrisey wanted to talk to her about. Harriet, for her part, was convinced that it was to do with the window at last. Harriet suddenly felt elated. She was about to solve two mysteries with one swoop.
"Thank you, Rubeus," Professor Morrisey said giving Hagrid a polite bow of his head. "Follow me, Miss Potter-Dusk."
Harriet wasted no time. She gave her friends encouraging smiles before hurrying off after the professor, who hadn't waited for her.
"Is this about the—"
Professor Morrisey gave Harriet a sharp look over his shoulder. It both confirmed what she'd been about to ask, and yet told her quite clearly to shut up.
They continued in silence up to the school. Surprisingly, they did not enter via the main entrance. Instead, they went for one of the much smaller, and more discrete, side doors. Harriet thought this was for secrecy at first, but then realised it was because Professor Morrisey's office was directly inside.
He swished his wand at the handle, and his office door unlocked and opened itself. Harriet's sense of excitement was growing. She knew little about Professor Morrisey. He was an occasional teacher at Hogwarts, teaching advanced subjects like Ancient Runes whenever enough students expressed an interest. He was also good friends with Professor Howe, as Harriet understood it.
Harriet stepped quickly into the office when Professor Morrisey beckoned her inside. The room was a little disappointing, perhaps. The walls were almost entirely obscured with bookshelves. Harriet couldn't understand a single title, all of them being written in runes. Harriet also recognised a chessboard that looked exactly like the strange one Professor Howe had used on the Knight Bus to communicate with Professor Morrisey back before Harriet's third year.
"Please, have a seat," Professor Morrisey offered, sitting behind his desk.
Harriet sat. She was starting to feel a little apprehensive. She never remembered Professor Morrisey being this polite before. His tone was usually belittling when not appraising.
Professor Morrisey studied Harriet closely over his desk.
"So... have you worked out the window, Professor?" Harriet asked.
Professor Morrisey did not answer right away.
"I have, and I have not," he said unhelpfully, leaning back in his chair.
They continued to watch each other in silence.
"Despite everyone's worries... I feel you have made a powerful ally, somehow, Miss Potter-Dusk," Professor Morrisey said at last.
Harriet blinked. What did that mean?
"Is he a Split-Man?" she asked.
"No," Professor Morrisey said. "Split-Men are powerful, but they are tangible. They are manifest and exist within our plane of existence. Your visitation was from an entity outside of this reality."
Harriet's head was starting to hurt again.
"He can appear here... he can interact with it... but he is not of it."
"Who is he?"
Professor Morrisey raised his eyebrows. "I haven't the faintest idea."
Harriet's frustration grew.
"I can only tell you what the signs indicate. You saw this entity in the window and behind you, yes?"
"I thought it was outside, but then realised he was inside, standing right behind me?"
"Are you certain? Could you not have perhaps seen him in the window? Are you certain the vision of him behind you was not the illusion?"
Harriet thought that sounded far-fetched.
"Miss Potter-Dusk, you just witnessed a lecture on a creature that can only be seen by those who have seen another die," Professor Morrisey said impatiently. "Broaden your mind beyond the mundane. This is magic, and magic makes even the strangest of things possible.."
Harriet furrowed her brow.
"It is my suspicion, who or whatever this is, left via the window itself. Not in the mundane, 'open it and clamber out' way. I mean through the pane of glass itself. Perhaps he can enter our plane via reflections. Maybe he needs someone to see him to manifest in our world tangibly."
"I think Jerrad is speaking with him," Harriet blurted out.
Professor Morrisey raised his eyebrows again.
"The last time I was in the Hog's Head, I heard Jerrad's voice," Harriet explained. "He was talking with someone. It sounded like a man... Jerrad still sounds and looks like a kid my age. He..."
Harriet trailed off, unsure of how to explain herself. Professor Morrisey said nothing. Letting Harriet find her words.
"Weird things have been happening to me all year," Harriet explained. "One night... I was sure there was someone outside my window in the Ursula House dorms, watching me. Then another night I was helping Madam Irene with something, and we were sure something was watching us in the forest... and then as we were leaving... the next thing I knew I was in my bed. Like someone wiped my memory or something. Then there was that voice in the Hog's Head. Then this happened."
Professor Morrisey hung on Harriet's every word. Despite her frustration at not getting answers, Harriet was at least relieved to see that Professor Morrisey was taking her seriously.
"I only have suspicions at this point, Miss Potter-Dusk," Professor Morrisey continued at last. "There are a great many possibilities that must be ruled out. It will require testing, but we will have to be discrete about that."
"Why, sir?"
Professor Morrisey scoffed softly. "Because you attract enough attention, Miss Potter-Dusk, and if it got out we were testing you for a haunting by an Ifrit, you might get carted away and locked up in the Department of Mysteries where Unspeakables will poke and prod you forever."
Harriet stared. "An ifrit?"
"Crudely put, a demon," Professor Morrisey explained.
Harriet's mood sank lower.
"They are a type of jinn, a powerful spirit. Ifrit are most closely associated with death..."
Harriet grimaced. "Well, maybe for once Professor Trelawney's right," she joked with gallows humour.
"And by that you mean...?"
Harriet sighed. "She always sees death omens around me. This year it was some moon man..."
Professor Morrisey continued to appraise Harriet with his bright eyes.
"I see..."
The fact Professor Morrisey neither confirmed nor denied anything to do with that did little to calm Harriet's nerves.
"Describe the man you saw," Professor Morrisey said. "I want every detail you can remember of that night. This is going to take some research... Ifrit and their ilk are very rare... however, a powerful enough witch as yourself with such a history with destiny and death is liable to draw one."
Harriet swallowed and launched into her retelling.
Harriet never felt happier to see the fireplace of Mountain Home. Finn was right on the other side of it, waiting for her. She wanted to see his smile. She wanted to tell him how sorry she was for what had happened. She wanted to tell him all about how she'd thrown everything in stupid Umbridge's face and finally got her to shut up.
Daddy chuckled.
"Someone's excited."
"So?" Harriet said, hanging her head and blushing slightly.
Daddy chuckled more and gently kissed the top of her head.
"It's okay, Harricane," he told her kindly.
Harriet picked up her overnight bag. It was full of clothes she was sure Finn would 'enjoy,' as well as a few other things she'd smuggled from her trunk. After the roller-coaster past week and the insanity of the previous weekend, Harriet was eager for an escape.
Daddy got the tin of Floo Powder and held it out to her. Harriet took a pinch and hurried as casually as she could to the fireplace. She tossed the powder into the fire and squinted as it roared bright green.
Harriet knew she didn't need to say the name, but she was too excited as she stepped into the fireplace and declared: "Avalon!"
At once, Harriet was whipping and twisting and spiralling through nothingness. Unlike most trips via Floo Powder, there were no other fireplaces to see. The fireplace between Avalon and Mountain Home was the only connection.
Harriet finally skidded to a halt on the hearthrug. She braced herself for Finn's customary surprise attack. After a second, she opened her eyes. It hadn't come.
She looked up and saw that instead, Finn was standing right in front of her. His lips were smiling, but his blue eyes were wet with tears. Harriet's smile vanished, and she dropped her bag.
"Oh, Finn... what's wrong?" she asked.
Finn sniffed. "C-Castillon..." he said in a hollow voice. "He passed away last night..."