Disclaimer: This is a work of fanfiction based on the Harry Potter universe. All recognizable characters, plots and settings are the exclusive property of J.K Rowling. I make no claim to ownership nor do I make any profit.
Acknowledgments: Thank you to my betas James Marx and Umar for their work on this story. An additional shoutout goes to Discord user Hedach for his additional corrections.
Self Promotion: I have a discord server where you can chat and read all of my chapters early. If you would like to join, simply copy the link on my profile and for . I had to write it in that format for the site to allow it on my profile.
Authors Note:
There is a Gringotts scene in this chapter, but there are no cliches involving Harry taking head of ten houses or anything of that sort, so you can all drop your preconceived concerns.
Recommendations:
Harry Potter and The Prince of Slytherin by The Sinister Man.
Harry Potter and The Boy-Who-Lived by The Santi.
Growing Up Black by ElvindorkNigellus.
The Hero and The Veela by JackPotter.
Stepping Back, and Honour Thy Blood by TheBlack'sResurgence.
The Mind Arts by Wu Gang.
A Cadmean Victory by DarknessEnthroned.
Magicks of The Arcane by Eilyfe
"Speech."
'Internal Dialogue.
Parseltongue.
Memories/In Story Text.
Harry Potter and The Dark Lord's Equal
By ACI100.
Year 2: The Looming of Shadows.
Chapter 2: Mysteries and Mishaps.
July 31st 1992.
Longbottom Manor.
8:13 AM.
Harry stumbled out of his bed on Friday morning feeling rather groggier than usual. He had been having odd dreams the last few nights, dreams that always involved odd underground tunnels, though he never seemed to remember them upon his awakening. Knowing it was a Friday, Harry quickly stumbled into the shower, wanting to make himself presentable and make sure that he was more than ready by 1:00 that afternoon, the time that had become the norm for his sessions with Moody every Monday, Wednesday and Friday.
The sessions had gone well so far in Harry's mind in terms of progression. Already he could see quite the difference in their duels, and though he had yet to best the ex auror or even come close, just last Monday he had opened a gash on the man's face with a well placed cutting curse. He had still been battered around almost every practice, but Harry knew such things were necessary if he were to fulfill his potential and have any chance at all at stopping Voldemort's return to power.
He had yet to master non verbal casting despite hours of practice but he could feel, just feel that it was coming along.
He had advanced quite well in his school subjects, managing the cheering charm without much issue and he figured he was already nearing the third year Easter Holidays in terms of progress in Transfiguration. Arithmancy too was coming along well, and he had decided to devote himself to a little project. Loathe as he was to admit it, Quirrell's trap with the parchment, parchment that seemed to be able to communicate messages back and forth between two people at will had been rather ingenious, and Harry quite liked the idea of having instant lines of communication with his friends. The Arithmancy of such things was fairly complex but he was working through it slowly. The actual enchanting bit — well, that was something he would have to look into once he actually knew what enchantments were needed in the first place.
He quickly made his way downstairs after a rather long shower, figuring he would go flying for a while to jolt his body awake. He would make sure he was prepared for 1:00; if he wasn't, he could only imagine how poorly the session would go for him and his health.
It came to Harry as a great surprise when he entered the room and made to greet Augusta and saw Neville too sitting at the table.
'He's up before nine? What's the occasion?'
"Good morning Harry, and Happy Birthday!" Said Augusta brightly, causing Harry's mouth to fall open.
'Oh, I suppose that would be the occasion.'
How he had managed to forget his own birthday was a mystery to him, but he smiled appreciatively at the two of them. Him forgetting such an occasion would have made sense even a year ago but now, they had planned for this day all summer. He and Neville would be having a shared party, inviting over Ron, Dean and the Gryffindor Quidditch team. Neville had also saved his presents from the day before and the gesture left Harry oddly touched. Last night they had eaten all of Neville's favourites and the three of them had spent most of the day together, but aside from that, the festivities had been saved until later today.
Harry smiled. "Cheers, mate!" He said with genuine happiness, taking a seat across from his brother in all but blood. "No session with Moody today then, right?" He asked, wanting to make sure. It would be a rather nasty shock to assume he did not and find out he did; those sessions were something he always tried to enter as mentally braced and prepared as possible.
"Correct," said Augusta with a smile, "I owl'd him a couple of days ago. He wishes you a happy birthday and sends his regards."
"Nothing about watching my back or constant vigilance?" Harry asked, more than a little bit sceptical.
Augusta's lip twitched. "There may have been a bit of that too, yes."
Speaking of owls, one flew in through the open window and landed on the table, sticking out its leg to Harry. It looked similar to the one that had arrived weeks earlier courtesy of the ministry, but this one looked somehow more regal. Harry reached out and took the envelope, seeing an emblem adorning it that he did not recognize.
"Gringotts." Clarified Augusta, walking behind Harry to inspect the letter over his shoulder.
Harry opened the envelope and read the letter quickly, his eyes widening as his heart skipped a beat at what lay in his lap.
Heir Potter,
It is my esteemed duty as your account manager to inform you that as of today; July the thirty-first 1992, you are eligible to bare witness to the reading of your parents' will, as the document specified it would be read no sooner than your twelfth birthday.
Please note that if you do not come in the next thirty days, the will shall be read without you and you will be mailed a summary of its contents.
Pleasant business as always,
Rodnuk.
Harry looked up at Augusta questioningly, a tumult of emotions crashing through him in that moment.
"It would be best to go as soon as possible." Decided Augusta before her voice became a bit softer. "If you are prepared to hear it, of course."
"Now?" Harry asked, his voice more hopeful than shaky, though it was a bit of the latter to be certain.
"If you wish." She acquiesced with a sad smile.
Harry closed his eyes and took a deep, calming breath, clearing his mind of the emotions that threatened to overtake him as he nodded slowly. They all stood, and Harry glanced questioningly at Neville. "You don't have to come." He told his friend, but Neville shook his head fiercely.
"I want to be there for you!" He said defiantly, and Harry felt an odd warmth in his chest that he was still rather unaccustomed to.
"They will not let us in the room." Warned Augusta, but Neville shrugged.
"That doesn't matter," he said, "I only need to be there."
Harry smiled at Neville, trying and likely failing to push all of his gratitude for the other boy through one simple facial expression.
July 31st 1992.
Gringotts Wizarding Bank.
9:04 AM.
Harry had only been to the bank one time before, and he could not help but be equally as entranced as the first time he had been here. The bank really was a work of art, and something about the inscription upon its doors still sent a tingle down his spine. It was far less busy now than it had been mid day a year ago, as much of the populace would not be perusing the alley for a couple more hours still. Harry, Neville and Augusta walked confidently up to a goblin and this time, mercifully, Harry was armed with his key.
He cleared his throat in much the same way Augusta often did to get someone's attention, summoning up every bit of confidence he could muster as he straightened his posture and held his chin high in the way he had been taught. The goblin did not bother glancing up. "What is your business today?" The creature asked indifferently.
"I would like to meet with my account manager regarding the will of my parents."
"And who is your account manager?" The goblin asked, still examining whatever documents held his attention.
"Rodnuk." Harry answered casually, causing the goblin's head to snap up as his eyes roved hungrily over him.
"So it is," he said with a nod, "you will be required to submit your key as proof of identity, Mr. Potter, as you are a rather high ranking client of ours and we take the security of our profitable customers quite seriously."
'I'll bet you do.' Noted Harry with some amusement. He had no idea how much the goblins took from the profit of a family's investments via taxes, but if Augusta's ranting was anything to be taken seriously, it was quite a lot.
Harry produced his key without a second thought, quickly handing it to the goblin who examined it carefully. "All seems in order." He declared, standing from his stool. "Your accomplices may come with us, but they will be unable to enter the meeting room itself." Harry nodded, being well aware of this as he followed the goblin, vaguely aware of Neville and Augusta trekking on behind him through the maze of corridors that led to the same oak polished door that Harry had stood in front of more than a year earlier. Just like then, he waited several minutes for the goblin to speak with Rodnuk; though the wait certainly did not take as long as the first time he had visited. When the creature exited, it inclined its head respectfully towards Harry.
"May your business be fruitful." It said curtly, making its way back through the maze of corridors, doubtlessly wishing to return to whatever monotonous paperwork it had been attending to upon their arrival.
Harry took a deep breath, receiving encouraging glances from both Neville and Augusta and shooting them each a reassuring smile as thanks before he stepped forward into the familiar office, clearing his mind of all emotion as best he could while he did so.
"Heir Potter," greeted the goblin neutrally once the door had shut and Harry had taken a seat, "I admit myself impressed by your punctuality."
He shrugged. "I gain nothing from waiting, do I?"
"No," answered the goblin archly, "you do not." He opened his drawer and began to file through the papers within. "I assume that you are here for the last will and testament of your parents?"
"Yes." Harry answered, hardly breathing as Rodnuk pulled a sealed document from the drawer and tapped an odd glass orb that rested on his desk with a long, sharp nailed finger.
"Let this be recognized as the official will reading for the deceased Lord James Fleamont Potter and his lady, Lily Potter nee Evans. The date is the thirty-first of July nineteen-ninety-two and the most directly influenced party is in attendance."
He broke the seal on the document and began to read the required legal jargon. Harry understood most of it, though he mainly spaced out, choosing to focus more on his Occlumency. He wasn't sure if he was relieved or disappointed the will was in writing and not memory, as he would have liked to truly see his parents for the first time, but suspected very strongly that such an occurrence may very well leave him a mess. Finally the goblin cleared his throat, clearly using the gesture as a subtle way of drawing Harry's attention before he made to speak but his eyes went wide, nearly bulging out of his head.
"L-let this serve as our written testament to the fact that Sirius Orion Black did not serve as our secret keeper and should be acquitted of the guilt if it has been placed upon him." The goblin seemed stunned into silence for a long moment before continuing. "The true secret keeper was Peter Pettigrew, and if this is being read in the at all near future, he should take Sirius's blame if any has been placed upon him." The goblin tapped the orb with his finger again to pause the recording and rubbed his temples furiously.
"What does it mean when it speaks of a secret keeper?" Harry asked, feeling as if he had missed vital context somewhere as judging by the goblin's reaction, something that was not given lightly, that had been a rather large revelation.
It appraised him for a moment before speaking. "The only applicable scenario I can think of would be matters concerning the fidelius charm."
"Which is?" Prompted Harry.
"A charm designed to hide the place, object or concept it is cast upon completely and without fail." The goblin explained. "It is an extremely powerful piece of magic and is notoriously difficult for your kind to cast. It has never been made public that your parents were under this charm, though this document seems to imply that they were."
Harry felt confusion and spoke, trusting his voice to stay steady only because of his still clear mind. "If they were under a charm so fool proof, how did Voldemort find them?"
The goblin hissed at the name but answered anyways. "That is where the part of secret keeper comes into play; no bit of magic is infallible. The magic is bound to a chosen person who remains the only person capable of parting with the location. Any who are not privy to the secret could stare directly at the place and see nothing at all."
Harry felt a sinking feeling in his stomach. "So their secret keeper betrayed them to Voldemort?"
"I see no other possibility," answered Rodnuk, "though your ministry would know better than us."
"How come I have never heard of Sirius Black or Peter Pettigrew?" He asked.
'Clearly they were important if one was chosen as secret keeper and the other must have been believed to have been chosen.'
He had seen the name Sirius Black in a copy of his genealogy book from last summer he remembered, but had never thought the name would mean anything to him.
The goblin sneered. "That would be because Sirius Black is serving a life sentence in Azkaban and Peter Pettigrew is dead."
Harry's jaw fell open before a piece clicked in his mind. "We need to get Black released," he said, "he clearly isn't guilty." But Rodnuk was shaking his head, a rather cruel smile gracing his lips.
"Sirius Black did not go to Azkaban for betraying the Potters." He noted. "Though I suppose now, we can say the fact likely did not help his legal case."
Harry frowned. "What did he go to Azkaban for then?" He asked as dread filled him.
"The murder of Peter Pettigrew and thirteen muggles." Deadpanned Rodnuk, and Harry felt his jaw fall open.
'Well shit.' He thought.
"Oh." He said eloquently, causing the goblin to smirk.
"It seems that the murder of Pettigrew may have been out of cold blood, but even if that was to be forgiven by your ministry, which would not happen, he would still spend the rest of his life in that prison for the murder of those muggles."
"What if they were just caught in the crossfire?" Harry asked.
"Possible," conceded the goblin, "though there is no way to be sure and it would be impossible to prove."
'Boy do I have a lot to tell Augusta later.'
"Shall we continue, Heir Potter?" Harry nodded, forcefully clearing his mind of the myriad of questions that plagued him as he tried to continue being attentive to the creature reading in front of him.
July 31st 1992.
Longbottom Manor.
1:04 PM.
The rest of the will reading contained no shocking revelations concerning mass murderers. It was the standard affair. The Potters had left a few million galleons to Peter Pettigrew, though the man could hardly claim it because he was dead, and at any rate, the money was conditional on the fact that they did not die as a result of a violation of his duty as secret keeper. The rest of the Potters sizeable fortune was left to Harry and Harry alone. He did not know how much that fortune entailed, and he would not until he was either seventeen or somehow emancipated early, but he didn't really care. It had just been touching to hear his parents tell him that they loved him and wanted him to succeed above all other things. Mind you, it probably wasn't the same in writing as it would have been to actually hear it, but Harry had to focus quite hard on keeping the emotions below the surface nonetheless.
He had wanted to tell Augusta about the revelations concerning Sirius Black and Peter Pettigrew, as well as ask her what she knew of both men, but the time really hadn't presented itself and it wouldn't for the duration of the day. At present, Harry and Neville waited in the entrance hall of Longbottom Manor for Ron and the Gryffindor Quidditch team to arrive via the floo network and Dean via side along apparition with Augusta for Harry and Neville's conjoined birthday party.
Oliver, always punctual as he was, arrived first to no surprise from Harry.
"Harry!" He beamed, stepping forward and clasping his hand tightly. "Great to see you mate! How's your summer been so far? Managed to get much practice in?" Harry had to fight the urge to wince. With everything else going on since the near return of Voldemort, he had spent little to no time in the air on his broom.
"A little," he answered, forcing himself to smile as ruggedly as he could manage, "probably not as much as some other maniacs I could think of."
Oliver grinned. "No, probably not."
Harry rolled his eyes. "Oliver Wood, meet my best friend, Neville Longbottom. Neville, meet Oliver Wood, maniacal trainer, obsessive planner, apparently quite the chick magnet if the rumour mill is to be believed, and the esteemed captain of the Gryffindor Quidditch team." Wood mock bowed as if he were on stage before shaking hands with Neville.
"Nice to meet you, mate and happy birthday to you as well!" Said Oliver with an easy smile. "Summer going well?"
"It's gone very well, thank you." Said Neville, and Harry marvelled at the easy confidence in his friend's voice, confidence that had been completely non-existent not all that long ago.
'He has come so far.'
At that precise instant, the flames roared once more and Ron staggered out of the fire, managing to stay upright on landing, though it had been a near miss.
Harry rolled his eyes. "Oliver, meet the idiot of a pureblood who's been using the floo since birth and still hasn't quite figured out what the hell he's doing." Oliver and Neville laughed and Ron rolled his eyes, though he too was grinning rather broadly.
"Ron Weasley!" Ron introduced himself enthusiastically. "I've heard loads about you from my brothers."
Oliver smirked. "I'll bet you have." He said smugly. "A Weasley, eh? Any thoughts on playing Quidditch? You have excellent genetics for it."
Ron blushed a bit. "Uh — yeah, I'd really like to, but there won't be an opening on the team for quite awhile, will there?"
"No, I s'ppose not." Said Oliver with a shrug. "But you could always be a reserve and practice with us to make sure that Gryffindor stays strong once me and the girls have left."
Ron's face brightened. "Yeah," he mused, "yeah, alright, I'll try out for reserve."
Wood snorted. "You can have the spot. We probably won't need one and not many will bother trying out for a spot that probably won't get playing time. Besides," he added with a smile, "like I said, you have excellent genetics."
"Too right, Oli!" Boomed a jovial voice from the fire as Fred — or George stepped through with far more grace than their younger brother.
"Yeah," said another voice a second later as the other twin stepped out of the flames, "not quite the best in the family though!"
"Too right brother dear; we're still much more talented and infinitely better looking."
"We'll see who's better looking if you lot don't shut up." Muttered Ron under his breath and Harry smirked.
The girls arrived next, with Dean being apparated via side along with Augusta not long after. Dean had been the hardest person to get to the party as his parents were both muggles and reasonably wanted to be sure that everything would be ok. After a few letters had been exchanged with Augusta they had agreed, and she had told them it would be no problem for her to get Dean to the manor and back to his home afterwards.
They all took to the sky for a game of five a side Quidditch. Even Neville, who had been terrified of the mere idea of flying less than ten months ago joined in, and Harry was surprised when, though far from what he would call good, Neville actually turned out to be fairly competent.
They spent several hours playing Quidditch until finally, jovial and exhausted, the lot of them made their way into the manor and began to just talk amiably and play exploding snap. They shared stories of their summer, growing up, minus Harry, and talked about the upcoming year at Hogwarts.
Finally, Augusta called them all down for dinner where a heaping feast of both Harry's and Neville's favourites were laid out in front of them, and the two boy's smiled at one another, silently communicating that they would need to thank the elves for a job well done later.
Harry nearly jumped a foot into the air when he felt a spell slam into his chest and he staggered backwards, his wand flying out of his hand as he turned and his mouth almost fell open when he saw Moody sitting beside Augusta.
"CONSTANT VIGILANCE!" He thundered, making everybody minus Harry, who had known that line was coming as soon as he saw the man jump. "Always on guard, Potter." He admonished. "There are some that would turn such harmless occasions into opportunities."
"Good to see you too." Quipped Harry with a grin as Moody tossed him back his wand. In truth, Harry was shocked to see the man at all, though he supposed he was likely using the occasion as an excuse to catch up with Augusta, something that both had told him was much needed. "Everybody, this is the psychopath that has spent the summer torturing me. I'd like you all to meet Mad-Eye-Moody." Ron and the twins gaped at the man while the others introduced themselves.
"Arthur Weasley's boys, aren't you?" Asked Moody gruffly as he shook hands with Ron and the twins once they had recovered from meeting one of their idols.
"Yes sir," answered Ron, "he speaks very highly of you."
Moody nodded, seeming satisfied by the fact. "Good man, your father. Did his part and more during the last war against You-Know-Who. Tell him hello from old Moody for me, will you?" The three boys nodded and everyone took their seats and dug into the feast laid out in front of them.
When they had finally plowed their way through as much of the mountainous feast as they could, Augusta called upon the house elves to bring her the presents for both Harry and Neville.
Neville, as his birthday was first opened up his. He had gotten mostly sweets from the Quidditch team as they had not known him overly well. Ron, ever the Quidditch finnatic had elected to get Neville a Tutshill Tornados jersey, as that was Neville's favourite team. Dean had drawn him a beautiful picture of Harry, himself, Ron and Neville lounging out at the lake. Augusta's gift was predictable, but no less spectacular as a result of the fact. She had bought Neville a variety of extremely rare, extremely expensive magical seeds, He had got a very rare book on Mediterranean plants from Moody that made his face light up, "Got it off an old friend of mine in the last war." Moody had said with a rare smile after seeing the joyful look on Neville's face, and finally, a book on practical defensive magic from Harry that he also appreciated a fair bit. He had been practicing a host of spells and tactics with Harry, and privately, Harry thought the boy would be a force to be reckoned with in Defense this year.
As for Harry, Angelina bought him a book on Transfiguration, as she knew he was interested in the subject after he had asked her some questions about it last year. Alicia bought him a huge package of HoneyDukes Chocolate as once she had heard that Harry had never had it before, she had loudly proclaimed that such a thing was a travesty. Katie had bought him some Quidditch memorabilia that he whistled appreciatively at. The twins bought him a variety of pranking goods once more.
"You need to get on your game, Harikins!" Admonished Fred.
"Yeah," said George, "you have a legacy to uphold. Your father holds the record for most detentions in a year. Even we haven't come close to breaking it!" Augusta's lips tightened sternly for a second but Harry could have sworn she was withholding a smile.
Oliver had got him a poster of the English national team signed by Harry's favourite player and the man who was unanimously regarded as the best seeker in the world at that moment and widely talked about as the best ever — Joseph Parker. Harry's jaw fell open at that one.
'How the hell did Oliver get this?'
Dean had also made Harry a hand drawn painting that was almost perfectly realistic. It was of him in mid dive after the snitch, his hand outstretched towards it, his face one of complete and utter determination. Ron had got him a book on his favourite team, Puddlemere United, as well as some of his mum's homemade mint fudge since Harry had raved about it after Christmas. Hagrid too had sent Harry a gift, a book on dangerous and rare magical creatures.
Another well wrapped package awaited Harry, and when he read the short note he smiled, recognizing both the handwriting and manner of speaking.
Potter,
Seeing as I am sure you are missing me terribly at the moment, I decided to give you something to remind you of my brilliance, as well as something to make up for the fact we never quite got to Runes at the end of last year.
Happy Birthday, we will speak once school starts up again.
Don't miss me too much,
Daphne.
Enclosed were two books. One was a rather thick tome on potions theory that appeared to be handwritten and the other was A Beginners Guide To The Endless Possibilities of Ancient Runes.
At last, only three presents remained.
"This one's mine," said Moody gruffly, handing Harry a carefully wrapped box, "careful, stuff in there is breakable." When Harry opened the box he saw several well secured vials of what seemed to be silvery liquid that made Augusta gasp softly. "Memories," elaborated Moody, "of your parents. The first three are standard interactions and the like, the last three are from the battlefield, so know what you're getting into before watching those ones." Harry nodded, trying to keep the watery sensation out of his eyes as he smiled gratefully at Moody.
"Thank you." He said sincerely, managing to overcome the tightness in his throat.
"Don't mention it." Said Moody gruffly.
"This is from the both of us," said Augusta, pulling a long, thin package that Harry knew at once could only be one thing as she gestured vaguely between herself and her grandson. He opened the broomstick with trembling fingers, gasping when the brand new Nimbus 2001 he had gawked at in the Quidditch magazines rolled out onto his lap, causing everyone on the Quidditch team to go completely silent.
"Blimey," said Wood softly after a few moments of stunned silence, looking at the broom as if it were the most valuable thing in the world, "she's a right beauty!"
"Amen!" Chorused the twins, causing the chasers to nod dumbly along at a loss for words.
Harry got up and briefly hugged both Augusta and Neville, taking the both of them by surprise but leaving them with small smiles as he sat down and took out the final, much smaller package and read the note attached.
Greetings,
I do hope this reaches you in time as I am sending it from rather far away.
Seeing as I believe you will have outgrown half of your current reading material rather soon, I decided to enclose a rather more advanced guide to the intricacies of Occlumency. These texts are completely my own and one of a kind, so I would ask you to treat them with great care and caution. I have done my best to simplify the material and give detailed instructions on helpful exercises to advance you through the levels of Occlumency.
I look forward to seeing what accomplishments are in store for you this year and wish you the happiest of birthdays!
Yours truly,
Professor Dumbledore.
Carefully, Harry put that box off to the side, handling it with great care as personally, he thought it the most valuable thing he had ever received.
'Handwritten explanations and guides to magic written by Albus Dumbledore. How many people would KILL for these?'
"Who was that one from?" Katie asked curiously, raising an eyebrow at him as he pocketed the note.
"Dumbledore." Answered Harry conversationally, causing everyone gathered minus his trio of friends, Augusta and Moody to laugh. He was sure they were thinking that he had been joking; something he did not correct them on.
That moment though, an owl swooped into the room bearing yet another package as it landed in front of Harry. Curious, Harry took the note off of its leg and read the slim, pristine handwriting that he did not recognize.
I hope you enjoy the gift enclosed as much as I did sending it.
Happy Birthday,
Your secret admirer.
Puzzled, Harry opened the box to find a rather mouth watering treacle tart that looked fresh and homemade.
Augusta took a fork full before Harry could protest. "I have not tried it in years," she defended when he mock glared at her, "I wish to know what all the fuss is about." Moody's mouth opened, probably to scream a paranoid sentiment of some kind but it was too late. She put the fork into her mouth and there was a second of silence where everybody in the room seemed to realize at the same time that something was horribly wrong as Augusta's eyes suddenly bulged out of her head.
Augusta's body began to shake as her breaths became shallow and her mouth foamed. A second later she slumped to the floor and began to convulse horribly.
"AUGUSTA!"
"GUS!"
"GRAN!"
Harry, Moody and Neville cried out as everyone else sat in absolute shock. Moody drew his wand but looked completely stumped at what to do. Neville, for his part fell to his knees beside his grandmother and looked imploringly up at Harry, seeming to try and will him to find the answer.
'Poison,' he realized, 'antidotes, antidotes — come on Potter!'
'You don't know what poison you need an antidote for.' Another voice reminded.
On the verge of panic, Harry cleared his mind in an effort to think more clearly, trying to call up everything he knew about poisons and antidotes. Seeing as that was not covered for several more years his knowledge was quite limited, but one memory did float to the center of his mind.
"Let's try again. Potter, where would you look if I told you to find me a bezoar?"
"In the stomach of a goat, professor."
"What then, Potter, is a bezoar?" Asked Snape.
"It's a stone that can save you from most poisons if ingested, sir." He said. "It's also an ingredient in several antidotes."
"HOSKINS!" Harry cried, summoning the first Longbottom elf he could think of. When the creature arrived, Harry didn't even hesitate long enough to give the creature time to see his fallen mistress. "Bring me a bezoar now!"
The elf vanished and reappeared a second later. Harry snatched the stone from the elf's grasp, lunging forward and tackling a frantic Neville out of the way as he forcefully shoved the small, slimy looking stone down Augusta's throat. She convulsed again for a moment before, with a final shudder, her body became still, her breaths evening out as she faded into unconsciousness.
Authors Endnote:
What can I say? I decided I would start the cliffhangers early in year 2!
I apologize for the short chapter, but next week's is 8k words, so no worries on that front.
Please read and review.
PS: The next chapter will be posted next Sunday, March 22nd at approximately 3:00 PM EST.
