Moving Forward
Madam Pomfrey wasn't impressed with Harry's recovery and didn't release him Sunday as she promised, but he managed to make his escape Monday morning before class. He had seen Neville many times, and the twins once more, but neither Hermione nor Ron came and visited him since Friday afternoon when he had fought with the redhead. This made him feel distinctly edgy; Harry hated not knowing what to expect. Would the two ignore him? Would just Ron? Or would one or both of them be hostile?
"Harry!" Neville called and waved happily.
Harry nodded, but was too tense to smile at his little brother. Neville understood and began a conversation that needed little of his participation. Grateful, Harry walked with him to the History classroom. They were a bit early and there were only a few people in the class, neither of which were Ron or Hermione. Harry sat with his brother, choosing a far right table near the middle. That way he could keep an eye on the door.
Hermione came in first. She spotted him and came over with a smile. "Harry! How are you feeling? Did Madam Pomfrey say you are healed completely?"
"I'm still a little sore, but made a complete recovery otherwise," Harry offered a tight smile.
"That's great!" Hermione smiled back.
"Did you read the article in Witch's Weekly?" Lavender spoke suddenly from the table behind Harry.
He turned to look at her, "No. I don't have a subscription. But I gave Melissa Silverwood an interview Saturday. What does it say? I hope she didn't make up crap like Skeeter did."
The blonde handed over the magazine. His interview started on page three and was about four pages long. He read it slowly, a smile growing on his face. It emphasized the danger he was in, made him out to be an exceptional young man, and the whole thing with Draco was worded just right. Silverwood had talent as a writer, he'd give her that.
"Sorry I'm late," Remus said loudly as he came into the classroom. Everyone stopped talking and turned to face the front. Remus wasn't known for giving punishments, but his class was always interesting and no one wanted to make the well-liked teacher mad. "Open your books to chapter thirteen and we'll learn about the medieval times."
Harry obediently put away the magazine and got out his book. He couldn't help but notice that Remus looked in sorry shape. Neville shot him a worried look and he shook his head minutely. He didn't know what was wrong either, and neither of them thought it was just because of the full moon tonight.
xXxXxXx
Remus taught his class as he always did, trying to ignore the ache in his chest at the thought of this being one of the last times he would do so. He enjoyed teaching and would miss it very much when he left. He caught Harry and Neville's worried gazes and smiled at them. He knew that wouldn't stop them from staying after to ask questions, but he still wanted to try.
Sure enough, when the bell rang everyone left the room except his two cubs. They came to his desk and he hated to tell them he was leaving. He hated not being here for them. Neville took it the worst. His eyes got wide and his face was filled with his dismay and unhappiness. Remus caught him in a tight hug.
"This doesn't mean anything changes. If you need anything, I will be here in a second!" he said roughly into the boy's ear.
"Why were you sacked?" Harry asked evenly.
His face was more guarded that it normally was and thinner. His wild black hair was limper and hung in his face a bit, but Remus thought Harry looked well considering everything he had gone through. He would worry, but not overly so. Harry could take care of himself. The teen before him was in large part Silas, after all.
"The Headmaster and I didn't see eye to eye on certain things," he answered evenly, stepping away from Neville.
Harry watched him with green eyes that had gotten a few degrees colder since the merge, and Remus wondered if the teen would push it, aware he hadn't exactly answered the question. But the teen merely shrugged and let it go, much to Remus' relief. He didn't want Harry to feel guilty and wanted to keep the fact that he had cursed the Headmaster so that Severus could rescue him a secret for a bit longer. Harry had enough to deal with without adding Dumbledore to his thin shoulders.
"Will you be alright?" Neville asked.
"Of course I will," Remus smiled and hugged him again. "I've survived a long time after Hogwarts. I'll be just fine. I'll probably stay with Snuffles. Don't worry about a thing."
"Do you know who is going to replace you?" Harry asked frowning, turning away to fiddle with a paperweight on Remus' desk.
"Probably the Headmaster himself since there hasn't been much time to find a replacement. There are only a few months left of school anyway."
"If you need money, please let me know." Harry turned to face him, lifting his face and making his hair fall away so that they could see each other clearly. Remus had never seen him look so serious, and he hesitated before immediately denying the offer. "My parents wanted me to be able to provide for you, and I don't want to let them down."
Remus wanted to refuse. He hated charity and he would never take anything away from Harry that was rightfully his, but there was a strange expression in the green eyes before him, and he found himself nodding slowly.
The muscles in Harry's shoulders relaxed as he smiled warmly, "Thank you."
"You boys should get to your next class. You're already late." Remus reached over and ruffled Harry's hair, grinning at the teen's hiss of annoyance. "I'll write you a pass."
xXxXxXx
The rest of the day passed uneventfully. Many people asked Harry about the article, and he managed to answer as little as possible. Even more people asked him to tell them what happened in the lake, but he brushed them off, telling them to ask Cedric. It wasn't so bad. He knew it could have been worse, but luckily people were also giving him a bit of space.
Ron ignored him all day, which was better than fighting. Hermione spent her time going back and forth between them, but he wouldn't listen whenever the girl brought Ron up. To keep up the fiction of being enemies, Draco accosted him in the halls on the way to lunch and they shot insults at each other. All in all, it was an average day.
"Harry, can we talk?" Ron asked.
Harry looked up from the text book in his lap. He was sitting lazily in one of the large comfortable armchairs by the common room fire, idly contemplating if he should go up to bed. There were about five or six upper year Gryffindors spread around on couches and at tables, talking quietly and sometimes laughing. Hermione and Neville were studying potions at a table behind him.
"I don't know, can we?" Harry asked indifferently, returning his eyes to the page.
"Look, Harry." Ron took a deep breath before continuing. "I'm sorry. I was acting like a prat again. I shouldn't have gotten all worked up until I heard your explanation why…"
"I don't have to explain myself to you," Harry said coldly, looking up with a sneer. "That's not what friends do. I don't need your permission for things; I don't need your approval."
Ron went red and crossed his arms defensively, shifting his weight backwards. "I said I was sorry, didn't I?"
By this time the whole of the common room had fallen silent to watch. Harry considered going somewhere more private, but decided he wanted to make a message about childish behavior. Maybe his House-mates would learn something from this. He looked up at Ron with narrowed eyes.
"But you wouldn't be sorry if I were friends with him, would you? Whether I was friends with him or not, it wasn't anything to do with you. You set conditions on our friendship. If I don't do certain things or if I step outside of what you allow, you won't be my friend. I don't like that."
"I was worried about you, you prat!" Ron yelled, flinging his arms out wide. "That slimy snake could have filled your head with nonsense to make you think you two were friends. He could have been tricking you to hurt you!"
"I'm perfectly capable of making that judgment on my own," Harry snarled, slamming the book closed and making everyone jump.
"So I'm not suppose to watch your back anymore?" Ron yelled furiously.
"That wasn't watching my back, Ron! That was throwing a tantrum!" he yelled back.
"Guys! Stop!" Hermione cried, coming between them. Her brown eyes were wide with tears. "Please don't fight. Malfoy isn't Harry's friend, so it doesn't matter, right?"
"It does matter," Harry argued calmly, standing. "It is an example of how Ron will act in the future."
"So you're not my friend anymore?" Ron asked in a harsh whisper. "That's it, then? Just like that? Who's setting conditions now?"
"You don't know how he'll act in the future," Hermione pleaded, reaching out to Harry beseechingly. "Ron learned something from this, and I'm sure he'll keep it in mind."
"Yeah. Maybe." Harry shrugged and made his way to the dorm stairs. "I don't want to talk about this anymore. I'm tired. See you guys tomorrow."
xXxXxXx
The week passed slowly. Harry had an annoying amount of homework, made more tedious because of how far ahead of the curriculum he was. And knowing Remus would be leaving Friday after his last afternoon class made everything worse. It felt like he was slowly being stripped of his allies. Slowly, he was being stripped of all protections except what he could muster to defend himself. He had too many enemies to guard against forever.
"Why so grim, Harry?" Remus asked as he shut his door behind him.
Harry shook free of his thoughts. His teacher stood before him, wearing his worn brown pants and white shirt that was missing the top most button. He had forgotten the state of Remus' clothes since he had been wearing teaching robes everyday. Seeing the tired lines in his friend's face made him grit his teeth. Remus needed this job and had been good at it.
"Nothing." Harry managed a tight smile. "I'm just sorry you're leaving."
"Me, too," Neville said glumly.
"Come now, boys. I'll be around." The older wizard brought them both in for a hug. He noticed Harry stiffening against him and let him go gently. He pulled back to look at them both. "I need your promise that you'll take care of each other and listen to Severus. Now is the time for caution. Be careful."
Neville stood as straight as he could and nodded. "We will."
"I have to go." Remus picked up his briefcase, gave them a smile, and strode down the corridor.
"Now what?" Neville sighed, wrapping his arms around his chest.
"We have an hour until dinner." Harry sighed and ran his hand through his hair. "I think I'll meet you there. Is that alright?"
"Where are you going?" Neville asked curiously.
"I'm going to go see Severus. Why? Did you need me for something?"
"No. I'm glad you're going to see him." Neville smiled and shrugged. "I think I'm going to go talk to Professor Sprout. I had a few questions about the Herbology Institute."
"Yeah?" Harry raised an eyebrow curiously.
"I'm trying to get into the summer program," Neville admitted with a blush.
"That's great. You need her recommendation or something?"
Neville nodded, "And other stuff. See you at dinner. Say hi to Snape for me."
Harry smiled sardonically. Neville had come along way, and so had Severus if he had any kind of tolerance for the shy Gryffindor. "I'll do that."
xXxXxXx
"Good afternoon, sir," Harry said as he walked into his mentor's sitting room. "Neville says hi."
Severus closed the door and watched curiously as the teen stood in the middle of the room, trying to decide where to sit. Silas would have gone straight to the chairs at the chess table, while the Host had preferred the blue couch near the fireplace. Shaking his head, Harry moved to the small table in the kitchen.
"Would you like tea?" Harry asked politely.
Severus was about to answer, when the teen went white as a sheet. His hand, reaching for the tea pot, had frozen in mid gesture. "What is it?" Severus asked softly, moving forward.
Harry didn't answer. Instead he grabbed the teapot and screamed furiously as he flung it at the wall. It hit with a loud bang and fell clattering to the floor. Harry stood panting, staring down at it with blazing eyes. "God, I hate them! I hate them so much!"
Severus would never have thought he had it in him, but he didn't even think about it. He just reacted. He strode forward and grabbed the boy into a tight embrace. Harry went ridged in his arms. Feeling mortified, Severus moved to let him go when Harry fisted his robes at his chest and pressed his forehead more firmly against his shoulder.
"I hate them!" the teen yelled hoarsely. "I want to hurt them so bad for what they did to me. I want to twist her arms off and claw her eyes out. I want to scream in her face every obscenity I know. And it would never be enough. It would never be fucking enough because it wouldn't change a goddamn thing! It wouldn't erase all the times I groveled and broke myself to please her! It wouldn't change the fact that I was fucking happy being her fucking slave! No! I was worse than her slave. I was her doll; a doll she turned off and on whenever she pleased." Harry's voice rose and cracked, breaking on a sob. "I hate them, Severus. I hate them… I hate everything."
"No, you don't," Severus said softly, his voice low and soothing. "Not everything."
Harry pulled away and covered his face, hiding the tears. He cried silently as he did in the hospital wing, and Severus felt his heart stretch with understanding. He saw himself in the gesture. A child who cries silently doesn't expect anyone to care they are crying or to do anything to make them feel better.
"As Silas, I didn't really feel anything about Rose. She was just there," Harry spoke thickly, his voice muffled by his hands still spread over his face. "She had a purpose and that was good enough for me. I didn't like the Dursleys, I wanted us away from there, but… But remembering being Rose is a completely different story."
Harry laughed bitterly. His hands dropped and his eyes were so dark and lost that Severus could hardly breathe. "I literally gag when I think about wanting to please that evil woman. I fucking remember sitting there daintily, deaf and mute, and thinking so sweetly about the people who were pouring their black, horrible emotions down my throat. And I just want to… to choke myself! I want to scream and rage that I would ever sit there and pour her goddamn tea or cook their goddamn food with that honest fucking smile on my face!"
"Harry…"
"I want to scream at you and tell you that wasn't me!" Harry picked up a tea cup and flung it at the wall, shattering it. "That I would never act like that!" He laughed again and slumped against the wall. "But, of course, I did. I did do that and think all that, and Rose was me. They made me into that… creature. They broke me, Severus.
"Can you imagine what it's like for me now?" he demanded with wild eyes. "Can you? Can you imagine being Rose and having no way to excuse the insanity of it all? It wasn't like I was acting. It wasn't like I served her with a smile on my face while plotting her painful death in my head. No. I was plotting the position of the new fucking pansies in her garden. I was plotting what herbs would go best on duck. I was sincerely practicing how to curtsy and wanted to clean so that they would have a nice house to fucking come home to." Harry put his hands in his hair and whimpered.
"Harry," Severus spoke carefully, not sure how to tread this thorny path without setting his charge off more. "You are correct in that Rose was you, but… But she wasn't all of you or even a large part of you. You shouldn't feel like you as a whole are weak because she couldn't understand the dreadfulness of the situation. Every child craves approval, Harry. And you were a child. That is not anything you should feel ashamed of. Just as Kit didn't understand the depravity of her situation, either."
Harry flinched and wrapped his arms around himself defensively.
Severus wished with all his might he could take this pain from the teen, but all he had were his words. Voice rough with emotion, he continued. "Their lack is not your lack, Harry. Not anymore. You encompass them. They are pieces of you. Not the other way around. You are more than Rose, more than Kit or Gabriel. You are strong and cunning, and you will never again be any one of them alone. You are whole now."
"Whole?" Harry laughed and looked up at his teacher. "Let's not forget Boy and Demon." He snorted and slid down the wall. "The hate I feel now is fleeting compared to the hate Demon feels. And Boy? He can't function at all, he's so fucked up. I'm not whole."
"All your strengths are whole, I should say. You are strong, and you are no longer the defenseless child Rose and Kit were," Severus countered.
"You've got that right." Harry sighed and shook himself. He pulled himself to his feet carefully. "Let's spar."
Severus eyed him. The teen looked haggard and his green eyes were exhausted. Now wasn't the time to push. So he nodded and led his charge to the abandoned classroom they had set aside for combat training and duels. Harry fought with grim viciousness, almost overwhelming Severus twice- not that he would ever tell his student that.
Now that Harry was both Silas and Gabriel, his combat skills have become near perfect. Harry moved from offense to defense flawlessly, and was equally skilled at both. He moved from physical to magical techniques with equal ease. Most importantly of all, when Harry saw an opening, he tested it before trying to exploit it. By doing this, he saw through almost all of Severus' feints and traps.
"Enough. We've already missed dinner," Severus called a halt almost two hours after they started battling.
Harry nodded, breathing heavily and dripping with sweat. He had long ago discarded his school robes and stood in jeans and a loose, dark blue T-shirt. Severus wore a long-sleeved, black, button-up shirt and slacks, but his hair was disheveled and there were two spots of color high on his cheeks. Harry felt triumphant for having made Severus work so hard to defend himself.
"Tomorrow is Hogsmeade weekend, as you know," his teacher sneered. "After you are done romping in the village, bring Mrs. Granger and yourself down here. We will begin to brew the Animagus Revealing potion."
"How do you know if she's ready?" Harry asked curiously, wiping his face on his robe sleeve.
"I tested her," Severus smirked, remembering her shock when he revealed he knew she was studying the transformation.
Harry smiled and shook his head, "Alright. What about Neville?"
"He will try to cast the Transfiguration on Sunday in the Shrieking Shack. Lupin will be there."
"And you?" Harry smiled fondly. No matter how Severus tried to make it seem like he was put out, Harry knew better.
"I will be there to make sure nothing drastic happens. Your presence goes without saying."
Harry grinned at his teacher's expression. They walked to the door, but before his mentor could open it, Harry stopped him with a hand on his arm. The man looked over at him curiously and Harry spoke softly, "Thank you, Severus." He bowed low, showing deep respect.
"Go, brat," Severus sneered, but that melted into a small smile as the teen ran from the room laughing. The day hadn't been a total waste, after all.
xXxXxXx
Ron came with them as they made their way to Hogsmeade at noon the next day. Neither Harry nor Ron went to any trouble trying to avoid each other, but things were stiff and formal between them. If it weren't for the twins, the week would have been much sorrier than it had been. Even the weather seemed to be trying its best to make the weekend more enjoyable for the students.
Lately fierce cold winds had been tearing around Hogwarts, making outside classes very uncomfortable, but today the winds were soft and there was even a weak silver sun sitting high in the cloudless blue sky. By the time they reached Hogsmeade, all six of them had taken off their cloaks and thrown them over their shoulders.
"We're going to the joke shop first!" Fred said adamantly.
"All the best joke items sell fast, while no one is going to buy up all your books!" George finished.
"Fine," Hermione huffed, scowling at them. "But it's not like you need any more joke supplies!"
"And it's not like you need any more books," Ron said playfully, poking her in the ribs.
Neville laughed and Harry shot him an amused glance. He was about to say something when something caught his eye. There were many students already in Hogsmeade, but between all the passing legs and laughing kids, Harry caught sight of a big black dog sitting at the end of the street in the very center of the road with his tongue lolling out. Harry walked quickly forward and became more certain the closer he got. The dog looked dirty and scruffy, but it was definitely Sirius Black.
"What is it?" Neville asked. Harry pointed and the brunette gasped. "What are we going to do?"
Just then, Sirius got up and turned around, trotting away. He stopped after a few feet and looked back over his shoulder pointedly.
"I guess we follow him," Harry answered.
"All of us?" Neville asked, looking back at their happily arguing friends.
"Sure." Harry shrugged. "They all think I spent my summer with him anyway." He turned and lead them into an dark alley. It didn't take long for the twins to notice something was up. Harry pulled them deeper and whispered, "Stay quiet. Someone wants us to visit. Nobody can know about any of this, got it?" Harry looked especially hard at Ron and the redhead nodded firmly. This was a perfect test for all of them. If they didn't tell about Sirius, then they might be trustworthy in the future. "Good."
He tapped them all on the head with his wand, saying the spell that would make people not want to look at or notice them. He cast it on himself last and made his way back to High Street. Sirius was still waiting. He yipped happily when he caught sent of them and began trotting off again.
The scruffy dog lead them up a winding lane, leading out from Hogsmeade and into the wild countryside. The cottages were fewer here, and their gardens larger. Harry strained his senses, looking for traps, as they got further from the shops and Hogwarts. After a few minutes, they turned a corner and came to a stile at the end of the lane. Sirius wagged his tail happily and barked, going passed the stile.
The six of them climbed over and followed across the stubby patch of ground that rose to meet the rocky foot of the mountain. Sirius led them to an area where the ground was covered in boulders and rocks. It was easy for him to get across with his four legs, but the students had a harder time. Even Harry was panting within ten minutes.
They followed Sirius higher, up onto the mountain itself. For nearly half and hour they climbed a steep, winding, and stony path. Then, at last, Sirius slipped out of sight. The students gathered, sweating and panting, over the small cave entrance and looked at each other in relief before making their way into the cool cavern.
Harry removed his spell and the six of them met a human Sirius, grinning broadly, and a rueful Remus. The teens exclaimed about finding their teacher there and the twins made much over the ex-convict. Loud minutes passed where no one really understood a word spoken as their voices echoed in the dimly lit cave.
"What are you doing here?" Harry asked when it calmed a bit. He was looking around at the two cots, fire pit, and sacks of food in the corner. It was obvious they were planning to camp here for a while.
"Fulfilling my duty as godfather," Sirius answered and came over to hug him.
Harry sidestepped and clasped him on the shoulder instead. "What if they catch you? What if you're seen?" he asked, only mildly concerned. He couldn't baby-sit the man. Sirius would have to take care of himself.
"I won't let that happen," Remus said with a smile. "Besides, he's been out here almost the whole time and has yet to be caught."
"I'm pretending to be a loveable stray," Sirius grinned and the twins laughed. "Don't worry about it. I just need to be on the spot incase something happens. Moony does, too."
"Moony?" the twins gasped.
"Yes," Harry smiled at them. "And this is Padfoot."
Fred and George stared in abject wonder before falling to their knees and bowing. "Masters!" they cried. "Teach us, two unworthy subjects, all you know! We beg you!"
Sirius stared at them in shock, while Remus rolled his eyes. "Get up," the werewolf chided. "I'm sure Paddy will love to teach you some pranks."
"Ahhhh," Sirius said, understanding dawning. "So you two are pranksters, are you? Tell me what you've done so far."
The twins jumped to their feet and began babbling about their past pranks. Ron, Hermione, Neville, and Harry shook their heads at the three and made their way over to Remus.
"This might not be such a good thing. They were bad enough as it was," Ron sighed dramatically.
"He's right," Neville nodded.
"I'm sure they will be fine," Remus laughed.
"But what about us?" Hermione scowled over at the three. Then she looked over at Harry. "Is that really Sirius Black? He doesn't…"
"Look like a killer?" Harry offered when she hesitated. "That's because he's not. I already told you he is innocent. You saw Wormtail for yourself."
"I know…" she sighed. "So Professor…"
"Remus. I'm not your professor any longer," he said kindly.
"Remus…" She blushed. "How are you? Are you going to stay in this cave?"
"It's not so bad," he grinned at the teens doubtful expressions. "It really isn't. It's nice being with Sirius again, too. I've missed him."
They all talked for over an hour before Remus called a halt. "It's about time you guys get back up to school. We don't want to make anyone suspicious. And don't come sneaking out here to see us. It's dangerous right now," Remus said this while looking at the twins.
"Yes, sir, Moony, sir!" The twins saluted.
Sirius laughed loudly, grabbing the boys around the neck and grinning like a loon. "I like these two, Harry! You have good friends, you have."
Harry rolled his eyes, standing. "Bye, Sirius, Remus. Be careful."
Neville hugged his mentor while Harry began casting the Notice-Me-Not spell on Ron and Hermione. Neville was very glad Remus was till close to Hogwarts, though he was a bit upset at their living conditions. What if it rained or got really cold at night? Surely they couldn't do much magic without fear of getting caught.
"Don't worry, pup," Remus said gently, smoothing his hair. "We'll be just fine."
"Alright," Neville backed away reluctantly and Harry cast his spell. "See you later."
"Bye and have fun!" Sirius called out as the teens left.
xXxXxXx
It was almost close to four when they got back onto Hogwarts' grounds. They were going to be late with for their potion session with Severus.
"Where are you going?" the twins asked.
"I passed Professor Snape's test so now he's letting me brew the Animagus Revealing potion. Harry's going to help," Hermione answered.
"Snape!" Ron and the twins said at the same time.
"Yes, Professor Snape," Hermione crossed her arms with a glare.
"He knows about us trying to be Animagus?" Ron was horrified. "He'll turn us in for sure!"
"No, he won't," Harry said firmly and they all looked at him. "Professor Snape has been tutoring me for a while. After all the hours of detention I've had with the man, we've come to an understanding. I trust him."
Ron looked about to protest, but the twins grabbed his shoulders, talking over him. "We trust your judgment, mate."
"Thank you," Harry nodded at them.
"Come on, Harry! We're late!" Hermione cried impatiently, grabbing Harry by the wrist and tugging him along.
"Professor Snape really is on Harry's side," he heard Neville tell the others. "And if I can say that without stuttering in fear, then you should know it's true."
"Professor Snape did fight with Dumbledore…"
"…and jump into the lake to save him."
xXxXxXx
The potion was just as complicated as Harry remembered it, but Severus was helping this time. He promised under his guidance the potion could be done in four weeks instead of six. Hermione was doubtful, but under Harry's expectant green gaze, she caved. She didn't know why Harry needed to brew the potion again, anyway. Harry told her it was because they suspected he did it wrong last time and he just wanted to make sure. You could only try this Transfiguration once, after all. She didn't ask him anything else about it.
xXxXxXx
Sunday came and Harry had to explain to the twins why they couldn't go see Sirius again. They then demanded to come to the Shack with him to watch Neville's Transfiguration. Harry allowed them, but managed to sneak out without either Ron or Hermione. That was something at least.
Neville had been at the Shack since dawn to get ready and the air was charged with expectation and solemnity. The twins were silent and respectful, sitting cross-legged at the far side of the Shack and away from the runic circle Neville had drawn. They didn't even ask what the strange female Flitwick look-alike was doing there. Severus glared at Harry, flicking his eyes at the twins, but he only shrugged one shoulder.
"I'm ready," Neville said with a low and even voice.
"Begin," Remus answered, just as formally.
Neville stood in the middle of his circle. His feet were shoulder length apart and planted firmly on the floor. His hands were folded in front of him and his round face went slack with concentration. The room was absolutely silent. Minutes ticked by. Magic built slowly in the room, heavy and sluggish. Neville's mousy hair ruffled, some began to stick to his forehead, drenched in sweat.
"Macero meicorporis ut ostendo mei animus rectus formo. Capio haec formo natura mei corpus tam ego animus advoco natura procul animus."
The chant was repeated three times; the words spoken precisely the same. Neville was trembling faintly now, his eyebrows bent down and frown lines bracketing his mouth. Then his edges began to blur. He melted. His skin and clothes, all his color, it bent and slid down and toward his center. The magic was an invisible force now. Pressing against their faces and bodies. The rune circle was glowing faintly.
Neville's image stopped melting and began to stabilize, to stretch and turn into wood. Everyone held their breath as the tree shimmered, trembled, threatened to collapse. But then it solidified and shot up, standing at least eleven feet high, green leaves blooming on the end of sturdy young branches. The magic snapped in the room and in Neville's place was a perfect specimen of an oak tree. He had did it!
"You're magnificent, little brother," Harry spoke warmly, stepping forward and putting his hands on the bark.
"You did beautifully," Madigan murmured tearfully. She raised her large eyes and smiled peacefully at the young tree.
"I never doubted you for a minute. Your parents would be very proud of you, pup," Remus said thickly as he came up beside Harry and touched the warm bark as well.
It shivered and a few leaves floated down around them.
"Amazing!" - "Incredible!" the twins cried out.
"Well done, Mr. Longbottom," Severus spoke before turning and leaving them to their celebration.
Neville returned to his human form, sobbing with joy. Harry wrapped him in his arms and Remus ruffled his hair, both talking at once. Neville couldn't believe he had done it. It was the hardest thing he had ever done, bar his lessons with Rowena. He soaked up his brother and mentor's praise and turned bright eyes to his teacher. Madigan bowed low and he went over to hug her.
"It's so amazing. I bet it will be much different if I transform on soil. I can almost hear whispers of other trees. They have a constant awareness of the world. It's awesome!"
"The trees hold much wisdom," Madigan pat his hand. "You will come to see that wisdom lives in you."
He blushed a bright red and was tackled to the ground by the two hyper twins. They were shouting in his ears and he laughed with them. They slowly made their way down into Hogsmeade where Madigan bought them butterbeers. Celebrating his success, Neville had never felt so happy. He had actually accomplished something wondrous. Maybe his parents would be proud.
xXxXxXx
Night was falling and the four boys made their way tiredly to the common room.
"I was thinking," Harry spoke up. "Can you guys send an owl to Percy for me?"
"Sure, mate…" - "…but what for?" they answered
"I have some questions for him." Harry shrugged.
"Alright," George nodded. "We have to mail something off tonight anyway."
"Do you have it on you?" Fred extended his hand.
"One second…" Harry closed his eyes and swished his wand, summoning the letter he had crafted, questioning Percy about Mr. Crouch. It came soaring into his hand in less than three minutes. The twins whistled, impressed. They took the letter and saluted before going off toward the owlery, their heads close together as they talked in a hush whisper. Harry wasn't worried they would read his letter. He trusted them, surprisingly.
"What are you going to do now?" Neville asked with a yawn.
"I'm going to go see Draco. Get some sleep. You did great today," Harry grinned and playfully punched his shoulder.
"Thanks. I think I'll do that." The teen smiled sleepily and made his way toward the common room while Harry turned around.
xXxXxXx
The bathroom was dank and silent. Even Myrtle wasn't hanging about. Harry sighed in relief. It was nice to be alone and in a quiet place. The only sound was the faint dripping of a leaky facet. He put his back to the wall beside the sink that lead to the Chamber of Secrets and settled in to wait. He had an hour before Draco was suppose to be up here. He sighed and closed his eyes, practicing his Occlumency.
"I keep forgetting how small you are, Shadow," Draco's soft voice said from a few feet away. Harry smiled faintly. "After battling dragons and merpeople, I keep thinking you're bigger than you are."
"You're not so much taller," Harry countered, cracking open an eye.
"I'm a good three inches taller than you," Draco sniffed and crossed his arms. He stood in a black sweater and gray slacks. His pale blonde hair was loose and tucked behind his ears, and his eyes were bright and happy.
"You look better. I take it your stalkers haven't given you anymore trouble?"
"None at all," Draco smiled sweetly. "Professor Snape has also helped restore my rightful place as leader."
"Has he?" Harry opened both eyes and stood. "That was kind of him."
"Kind, nothing," Draco grimaced, stepping closer. "He's making me brew all the potions Madam Pomfrey needs for her stores."
Harry laughed and hissed the sink open. They dropped down with ease, having long since gotten use to it. The Chamber was just as they left it. The basilisk was about a quarter dissected and there were transfigured couches and a table a few feet away from it. Harry made his way there and took a seat, gesturing for Draco to join him. The blonde did so and looked over at his friend curiously.
"I have a favor to as of you," Harry said quietly. "It's a rather large on and… gruesome."
Draco's eyes widened, but he didn't flinch. "What is it?"
"I need your help constructing a poison and trigger spell." Harry was risking a lot, involving Draco in his plots, but he did need help and of everyone he knew, Draco was the only one he felt he could trust with this. The Gryffindors were too young and naïve. The adults would throw a fit about Harry doing something so wrong. That left Draco, and if the blonde betrayed him now, it would cause severe damage to Harry.
"A basilisk poison?" Draco asked shrewdly. "Who do you want to kill?"
"Dumbledore."
The blonde stared at him, face expressionless. Harry felt his muscles getting tenser and tenser under that pinning gray gaze. "Dumbledore," Draco repeated slowly. "Tell me why first."
Harry looked away at the basilisk corpse, considering his response. In the end, he figured the truth would be best. Draco already knew about his condition anyway. So he told him about Dumbledore wanting to send him back to the Dursleys. How Dumbledore dosed him with an unknown potion and bound one of his alters painfully. How Dumbledore didn't want him to heal, wanted to use his condition so that Harry would be a perfect weapon. And last, he explained how Dumbledore had almost condemned him to death in the lake.
"I'm afraid he has too much opportunity to hurt me again. He is capable of imprisoning my mind, or even breaking it further. I can't risk that," Harry finished.
"I'll do it," Draco said firmly.
"Are you sure?" Harry met his eyes. "This is serious, Serpentine. This isn't a game."
"I know that," Draco snapped, glaring. "I agree that Dumbledore is a threat to you. He needs to be stopped. I will help."
Harry smiled, "Thank you."
"What would you do without me?" Draco asked haughtily, tossing his head and putting his nose in the air.
Laughing, Harry stood and went to the table, summoning all the books he had read on poisons and assassinations. All of the books were from the restricted section, one was from Severus' bookcase, and two others were so dark he bought them himself in Hogsmeade. Draco whistled impressed. For three hours, they worked hard outlining their options. Eventually they settled on the Vetch Poison. It was named after a particularly ugly and hard to kill Egyptian weed.
Basically, the poison is ingested by the victim in small doses over a long period of time. It builds slowly in the body, dormant, only to be released by the trigger phrase when the assassin chooses. It was the best choice since even if Dumbledore knew what was happening once the poison was triggered, he wouldn't be able to do anything to stop it since his own body would have become use to it, accepting of it. And hopefully since they would be incorporating basilisk venom, Dumbledore wouldn't have much time after the trigger phrase to think much about it at all.
"How are we going to get him to ingest it?" Draco asked tiredly.
"We'll think of something," Harry closed the book with their notes inside. He spell locked it shut and left it on the table, banishing the rest of the books back to their rightful spot. "It's going to take us almost sixteen days to make the poison anyway. We have until then before we have to know how we're going to slip it to Dumbledore."
Draco nodded.
"We should get back," Harry chuckled. "You look like you're going to fall over."
"Shuddup," Draco muttered, following him out of the Chamber.
Chapter end. Please review!
