Myrtle was floating around the wood. It was first time since she was a ghost she would come here. When she was alive, she never dared. The teacher had forbid it. Now, she was dead, what could she risk. She let her thought wandering. So she had been killed on purpose. Because she was a muggle born. No one seemed to have missed her. When she turned into a ghost, she was spying on people to hear what they would say. And hoped they will be sad. But no one was really. Apart from her parents.
They were more than heartbroken. They had called the headmaster many names. She didn't want them to see her like this. She missed them. She wanted to hug them. Why didn't she choose to go ahead at that moment? She would probably be with them. She hugged herself, hoping to feel warm. But nothing, except the cold.
"It is very cold, isn't it?"
She turned her head. A beautiful woman was standing before her. She was transparent too but with colours.
"Who are you?
-A lost soul, just like you my child. Something terrible happened to you right?
-I just learnt I had been murdered, for something I didn't choose. It was so brutal that...
-You didn't accept it? Just like when you died, and you turned into a ghost.
-I don't want to be here anymore. I want to go away. I want to see my parents.
-I know, child, I want to see them too.
-But you are an adult?
-So? I still miss them. But everything is going to be alright.
-What do you mean?
- I can guarantee you, child, that you will see your parents again. And you will have your revenge."
"Come on guys! We'll do it! We can do it!"
Oliver Wood was feeling too good for Harry. Their winning against Slytherin had made him euphoric, even if it had been spoiled by Malfoy.
Since his fight against him, Malfoy hadn't provoked him. Whatever happened in Dumbledore's office had scared him quite enough. Harry wasn't sure if it was a good or a bad thing because it would mean...
"Of course professor Dumbledore can be scary, declared Hermione. I mean, you know who was afraid of him. I guess we never saw him fight. He always seems happy.
-Or crazy, added Ron.
-Ron!
-Oh come on Hermione, who knows what's going on in his head. I wished I was there thought, he deserved it."
Harry had agreed. Malfoy wanted to hurt him. But it wasn't bothering him right now.
Neptuna told him they were doing everything to catch Sirius Black but it wasn't enough for Harry. He wanted him to be stopped right now.
"We're playing against Hufflepuff, Oliver, it would be easy! mocked Fred.
-Yeah, I bet we can sleep while playing, added George.
-If you don't play seriously, we'll lose! We can't afford that!
-Oh don't worry. We are taking them very seriously."
Oliver took a deep breath.
"Well whatever happens, I know I can count on you Harry.
-Yeah..."
A deep silence was followed.
"You don't seem very excited, said a worrying Oliver.
-Oh I know! exclaimed Fred. Malfoy won't do or say a thing. Slytherin has lost a lot of points because of him. He won't dare trying a thing."
No one in the castle had dared to mention of the revelation. Well, at least not in front of him. But he had saw group of people whispering around and stop while he was near. The subject of the conversation was not hard to find. Harry wanted everyone to think about something else.
"I'll be back."
Harry went out. He felt awful for wishing someone's death but at the same time, he would deserve it, probably. And yet something was odd. He still remembered when Black jumped on him
"Give the rat, Harry! Give it to me!"
He was sure Black had said that, he didn't try to kill him, well, not on purpose. Harry closed his eyes, trying to revive everything. He had fallen, and Black... had tried to catch him. He could now see his hand trying to reach his, but too late. And Snape had caught him. He had looked scared, and relived to have caught him in time, sincerely. Why were adults so complicated to understand!
And what about Black? No, he was certainly guilty...
"You seem angry Potter."
Harry turned and saw Snape. He always made him the impression he could see right under his skin.
"Who wouldn't be at my place?
-You are not planning something stupid right?
-Like what?
-Like trying to catch Black on your own."
Harry turned his look away. Of course he had thought about it.
"Well, I survived Voldemort three times. So I guess I can handle his follower.
-Don't push your luck, Potter. Who's to say you'll survive this time?"
Harry didn't answer. Maybe his luck had already reached his limit. He thought about what Morgan had said though.
Strange things happen during Halloween, you have a special power.
Should he tell anyone about her? He didn't feel it. The fear of being more different was deep in him. He remembered too well of the previous year when everyone was avoiding him because they thought he was the heir of Salazar Slytherin. What did that student said once?
Why would you know who wanted to kill him? He probably didn't want another dark wizard around.
Was his power a dark one? What kind of power could prevent him from dying where others fell?
Suddenly, Harry felt cold. He shivered and felt sick. Voices could be heard. He turned his head and saw very far the Dementors. Snape noticed it and drew him closer.
"You can feel them here?"
Harry nodded. This feeling.
"I'll just go back to my common room."
He left Snape and walk as fast as he could. For a moment, he felt he could just tell what was bothering him, like when he cried in his arm, about Black, and then he remembered everything Snape had done since the semester has begun, to him, Neville.
He wandered how Neville could take it, still having his parents but gone at the same time. They were tortured by Voldemort's followers, people like Black. How could they do things like that? It was Voldemort's fault, all of this. If he hadn't been there, none of this would have happened.
Next time, he will finish him for good. He'll make sure of it.
Harry raised his head as if he was awaking from a dream. Since then did he had such thoughts? And he was enjoying them. Something was changing in him, he had no idea what was it and he sure dislike it.
"Harry?"
Harry turned around and saw Ron, Hermione and Neville.
"Fred told us you seemed absent. You're all right?"
Harry looked at them deeply.
"I don't know, I want to, but I'm not so sure. I feel I'm changing and I'm pretty sure it's not about puberty."
The three snorted, and quickly Harry followed.
"Sorry, said Ron, but yeah, I mean."
He smiled while he scratched his head. Hermione took his shoulder.
"Well, you have been put a lot since this summer. I guess you need time to process it all."
Neville and Ron nodded. Harry felt he was calming down. Having friends was very helpful indeed
"I'll just focus on Quidditch. That will help.
-Good idea! It would be nice if we win this year!
-Yeah, especially for Oliver, it's his last year.
-Do your best Harry!"
For the last weeks, Harry trained very hard. And it did work. He could only think about the match. It was a relief actually. To feel like an actually teenager with no others worries. However, he wandered about Myrtle. She was not the popular ghost. Everyone was avoiding her. Harry felt he could rely on the feeling she could have.
"Young Potter! How good to see you!
-Oh, hello Sir Nicholas.
-Can't wait to see your match! I'm sure Gryffindor will win.
-We'll make sure about it.
-I know, I know!
-Say, have you noticed Myrtle lately?
-Myrtle? I'm afraid no my dear, she usually stays in the toilet and... Myrtle! What a pleasant surprise, dear Lady!"
Harry turned and saw her. She looked angry, but not as usual.
"Nicholas, Harry.
-Young Potter was asking about you.
-Really? Wonder why? "she said with irony in her voice.
She floated away, not bothering to look at them.
"Hum, is everything alright? asked Nicholas.
-I think so."
Harry shook his head and went on. He should apologize to her. But after the match.
"Welcome everyone to the match Hufflepuff between Gryffindor! "
Lee Jordan was as usual the most excited and had a strange power that excited more the crew in the stadium which led usually to fight between the two houses on competition. Several time, he had been reprimanded by professor McGonagall but still stayed at the post for mysterious reasons. Whispers was that McGonagall actually loved the comments but was restrained as a teacher and right hand of Dumbledore. Everyone knew she was the most craziest about Quidditch in the whole school, more than the player. Everyone always wished they could see the younger Minerva being into a Quidditch team.
"The two teams are in the air! Sorry for Hufflepuff, but we know their qualities in Quidditch are pretty low...
-Jordan!"
The Hufflepuff supporters yelled at him. Harry wandered how come lee hasn't been hit after the matches.
Harry had mountain his broomstick and flew over the stadium. He noticed the Gryffindor side and spotted his friends. He waved to them. The others players were in the air. Next to him was the Hufflepuff's seeker, Cedric Diggory. He was a six year, very tall and strong. He looked like a nice fellow. He nodded to Harry, he nodded back.
Harry heard the whistle, it had begun. He started to look for the snitch, they still had the lead, they must continue this way. He hold his nimbus tight. Nothing was going to prevent victory. Hufflepuff marked first. Harry clenched but if victory was too easy, it wasn't funny. Beside it wasn't like with Slytherin which he wanted to humiliate really deeply.
Harry shook his head. Again, this kind of thoughts. He needed to focus on the game.
"Hum, is Harry alright up there?"
Neville was holding a pair of binocular.
"He probably hadn't found the snitch yet, said Ron.
-Yeah, but, you know with Black and all. Everyone has been talking about that.
-We know. Malfoy is such a...
-Careful with your tongue Weasley."
They all turned, Malfoy was sitting there with Goyle and Crabe.
"You are the one who should be careful, retorted Hermione. Haven't Slytherin be into enough trouble because of you?"
Malfoy forced out a smile. Hermione noticed it was still sensitive.
"Now, let's hope Potter will remain calm after all this.
-Malfoy, I'm warning you, said Neville, I hit your face once in first year, remember? I can do it again!"
Malfoy was baffled, it was not like Neville to be like this.
"What's the problem Longbottom? Can't you...
-I'm sick of you making of fun of Harry because is an orphan. Where is the joke?"
A lot of students were looking at them, the match wasn't as tense as in the tiers.
Ron was up, ready as ever and so was Hermione.
"Yeah, Malfoy tell us what so funny of losing his parents while fighting? Oh right, you father was kissing you know who's feet, I bet.
-Shut up Weasley!
-You first!"
Ron and Malfoy were so closed that their noses were almost touching. Their breathing could be heard.
"Harry has stand up against him three time, what about you? You would have crawled no doubt! This is all you Slytherin can do right? Hurting people just because they are different? Everyone who had been in this house is a piece of...
-Weasley!"
Ron jumped, it was Snape who had come, alerted by students.
"Care to finish your sentence?"
Ron became very red, trembled. But for the first time, he managed to look at Snape right into the eye.
"Piece of shit, sir.
-What were you doing during the war? asked Neville. Harry told us you hated his parents."
Snape became pale of rage. For a moment, Neville and Ron thought he was going to kill them
"You, children, know nothing of it! 50 points from Gryffindor! And a detention for both of you. Minerva will be told about this"
He came closer, there was a cold feeling. Everybody shook.
"Now, listen to me carefully, boys. If, I heard such thing one more time you'll be..."
Snape stopped. He was shivering too. A mist was beginning to invade the entire place. Everyone turned their head and saw the dementors.
"What are they doing here? Everyone stays here! Do not provoke them!"
Snape run to chase them and was followed by others teachers.
"I hope Harry can't feel it up there!" said Hermione with a trembling voice.
Ron nodded. He put an arm around her and looked at Harry. He seemed fine for now and then...
"Harry!"
Harry was chasing the snitch, Diggory next to him. He was good! He stretched out his hand, he must catch it before.
A hooded figure suddenly appeared in front of him. Harry felt a wave of cold was crushing him. Everything disappeared into darkness. Harry was falling. He touched the floor which was very hard. But it didn't feel like grass. More like wood.
"Harry!"
Harry rose and turned his head. He froze. His father was right here, smiling. Tears were rolling on Harry's cheek. He pulled his arms.
"Dad!"
He ran to him, only to get through him.
"Come here Harry!
-Dad? I'm here!"
But James wasn't hearing him nor looking. Harry took a better look. There was a baby sitting in front of James. Himself.
"Yes Harry! Come to daddy!"
Baby Harry tried to rise, managed somehow and stumbled towards his father. When he managed, he began to shot words, more syllables. As he was trying to speak. The only thing that made sense was:
"Dada!
-Yes, Harry, that's it! I'm your daddy!
-Mama!
-There she is!"
Harry saw Lily getting out of another room.
"Did you miss mommy? I was taking a shower."
The baby was jumping on James's laps. James took his wand and made some colored smoke. Harry was trying to catch them but of course couldn't. His parents were laughing at his reaction.
Harry should have felt happy but he wasn't. The sadness was overwhelming him. They loved him so much, he couldn't remember that.
"That's not fair!
-You are right, it's not. Just because they wanted to do the right thing.
-Morgan? Is that you?
-Yes it is."
She was standing, right next to him.
"Is that? The night?
-When your parents died? It is. No one expected you to survive. Told you, strange things happen during Halloween.
-But when the Dementors came close, it wasn't like that! Wait, is it because of my power?"
Morgan nodded. She was watching the family.
"You can see deeper than just echoes. If you wish to witness what happened that night, you can but if you want to leave, you can too.
Harry looked at her. He was torn between those two options. He watched his parents. It was their last night, soon they will be killed. Anger overcame sadness.
"Is he still out there? Voldemort?
-Yes."
The silence was only broke by the laughs of the family.
-Then I want to know. So I can destroy him."
Morgan noticed the shadow that covered Harry's face for an instant. Harry had reached that point. Soon, it will... But there was no other ending here. She wished there was another way but it seemed there wasn't.
James turned his head towards the window. His smile faded.
"Lily! It's him! Take Harry and run!"
The door was blown away. The three were thrown at the floor. Harry shook. There he was when he was all powerful.
Voldemort was standing there, waving his wand. He didn't look quite human. His skin was very pale, his eyes red and a nose that was flat it looked like a snake.
James tried to reach his wand.
"Avada Kedavra."
James fell on the floor. His eyes open, towards Harry, as he was looking at him. Harry was shocked. Was that easy to kill someone with magic?
A screamed made him come out of his torpor. Lily was holding the baby as tight as she could.
Voldemort turned to her.
"Give me the baby, girl and you shall live!"
Lily shook her head and tried to run to another door. Voldemort laughed as he close all of them, trapping her with. He was having fun, he thought it was funny.
"I'll kill you" whispered Harry as his was drowning in his tears.
Lily took the stairs followed by the wizard. She locked herself in Harry's room, trying to buy some time. Then went to the window.
"I'll kill you."
The door blew up, Voldemort smiled as he saw Lily in terror.
"Stand aside you foolish girl.
-No! Not Harry! Kill me! But not Harry! Have mercy!"
Voldemort laughed and raised his wand towards her.
"Avada Kedavra!
-I'll kill you!" screamed Harry.
Lily fell on the floor; her head towards Harry who began to cry.
Voldemort, smiled, raised his wand once again.
This was it, he will know everything.
"Avada Kedavra!"
There was a green light, it touched Harry and everything went black and white. Harry saw, he saw everything. But refused to accept it.
"No way! It can be! It can't be! What kind of power is that?"
Morgan closed her eyes.
"I'm sorry dear but... this is the real thing. Now you know why people thought it was a dark power."
"It can't..."
Morgan tried to reach his hand but Harry refused to take it.
"Harry, you can't run away from this. Trust me I tried!
-I don't want it! I refuse it!
-Harry please! I need you!
-No! I refuse! Go away! Go away! Go away!"
Morgan tried to call him out but she couldn't, her voice was silent, her body was fading. Harry shut his eyes and covered his ears.
"I don't want it, I don't want it!"
The floor disappeared. Harry fell again, but he didn't mind this time. Maybe it was a good thing. He heard screams. He tried to shut down but these ones wouldn't. Harry opened his eyes. He had recognized tem.
"Ron? Hermione?"
His body seemed to find feeling again. Water was falling on him, rain, someone was holding him.
"Harry!"
Harry opened his eyes. Neptuna was holding him, Ron and Hermione were right next to her. So was Snape, Lupin and many others. They all looked at him like they were surprised he was still breathing.
"Harry! Said Ron. You're alive!
-Hey guys" whispered Harry.
He fell asleep.
