Beta's by: Dr4cu14, Scottken (Scotts still working on it so once he's done I'll repost this chapter with his work. Kind of promised post today and I'm impatient as hell)
WARNING: Incomplete beta (beta'd 1 1/4)
Book II :: Chapter 11 :: Setting the Stage
Ginny awoke to a warm, but empty bed. Removing the crimson blanket that covered her she got up to stretch. She began to remove her pajamas that clung to her with sweat. Turning toward the bed, Ginny felt a shiver of loneliness at the sight of the empty bed. She hadn't seen him enter it. Having fallen victim to its soft and welcoming embrace, and now she awoke with Harry again unseen.
Tracing a hand over the empty spot her heart jumped at the touch of its lingering warmth. Ginny smiled softly. Harry had slept there, next to her. Her heart sang gleefully at the evidence that he laid with her once again. He had even left a message as to where he was. On the corner of one of his notes that lay near the bed the phrase, 'Breakfast' and 'Preparations' was written.
Getting her clothes on, she pulled out her robes and shuddered as she finally realized what her actions the night before really meant. Her green robes. Not the red of Gryffindor, but green for Slytherin. She was not only the first Slytherin of Weasley but also chose to not be a Gryffindor.
Her hatstall was of her own doing. She demanded the hat sort her into Slytherin, her defiance and stubbornness taking the hat off guard. Even in her mind, the hat couldn't find cause to place her in Slytherin and yet it had seen that she had already been sorted. The unique situation left the hat in a predicament of how to sort someone who it had already sorted and had already graduated. He couldn't reject her. After all, biologically Ginny was eleven and it was bound by magic and by duty to sort all flesh blood. Never before had it been forced to sort a contradiction of a graduate who was going into Hogwarts for the first time.
Eventually, her stubborn insistence on Slytherin and being with Harry forced the hat to concede. When it finally demanded what possible ambition she could possibly have, she answered without a second thought, "To stay at Harry's side."
The hat mocked her that it wasn't much of an ambition. A mockery that Harry returned in kind. She lacked ambition? How stupid. She knew better than anyone how far and how high he would go. How she could be anything but ambitious when she desired to stand at the same heights as he was just an insult. At this, the hat had nothing to say but to say out loud the desire she demanded.
Looking at her robes, she was stuck wondering how her family would react. Would they still accept her despite being a Slytherin? Ron was likely to be a prick about it and she was sure her other brothers would poke fun at her. She clutched her robe as she felt a suffocating breath take hold at the mere thought.
Lifting the robe onto her shoulders she left Harry's trunk with haste for the Great Hall.
Upon entering the Great hall, she was a bit surprised to see that while all of the other house tables were moderately full, the Slytherin Table was mostly deserted.
Spotting Harry, she grinned cheerfully and rushed to him. Harry sat at the Slytherin table with a plate of biscuits beside him and three books and a pile of parchment beside him. Two of the three books were held up by two bowls of fruit and a large goblet of pumpkin juice. To his left a small book was open, turning a page every time an auto-quill was finished writing on the parchment beneath it, only to start again when an empty and new page was available. In the midst of eating Harry was looking at each of his books and writing down notes and symbols on the page right in front of him.
"Morning Harry."
Harry looked up from his work and seeing her, smiled. "Morning Ginny. Did you sleep well?"
"It could have been better." Ginny admitted. "Would have been nice to not have woken up alone in the morning."
Harry whispered a silent apology towards her, tapping the parchment in front of him. "I bet. You're probably used to waking up to a ruckus."
"Pretty much." Ginny admitted. Grabbing some biscuits she edged over to look at the parchment Harry was working on. "So, what are you working on so early?"
"Just copying some notes." Harry explained and hesitantly added, "As well as some runic arrays."
Ginny hummed in acknowledgement as she took a bite of her biscuit, her eye drifting over to the trio of book parchment and quill off to the side. The auto-quill rolled across the parchment, writing word for word the contents of the book that lay quill and parchment even as said book rested against a bronze goblet.
"Is that Slytherin's Journal?" Ginny asked, gesturing to the book.
"Yes, but it's just a copy. I'm using a copy I made to make more copies. After yesterday I thought it would be a good idea to have a few spares to share."
"You mean with all the first years?" Ginny asked.
"Yeah." Harry said.
"Although," he added looking up to see the arrival of Daphne and Tracey entering the hall, "There are others I took into consideration."
Ginny looked up and seeing the two understood his reasoning. The two sat and watched as Daphne and Tracey walked towards them and stared as upon their arrival the four stared down at each other in silence.
A few who were in the hall spotting this quieted to see what was about to go down. Similarly, Harry wondered what Daphne and Tracey wanted with him this time.
The silence was broken when Tracey nudged Daphne and spurred her to speak.
"Thank you Potter… for yesterday I mean." She said hesitantly, all the while avoiding eye contact almost to the point of appearing rude.
Harry looked at her with the same blank gaze he had on as she came to them and then smiled. "You're welcome." Gesturing to the seat beyond him he asked. "Perhaps you would care to join us as we have breakfast."
Daphne shook her head. "We will have to decline your invite. We should be on our way." As she made to walk past them Harry held out his hand to inhibit their advance. "Please." Harry said gesturing to the parchment in front of him. "There are some things we left undiscussed last night and I believe there are a few things I would like to ask of you."
Daphne's eyes widened at the sight of the parchment, filled with the same symbols he used that night earlier. Pausing she wondered what Harry's angle was but considered that he had proven himself at least the courtesy of hearing him out.
Walking past him she went around the table and took the seats across from him and Ginny.
"Thank you." Harry said, not expecting a response.
"Don't think this means I trust or am on friendly terms with you Potter." Daphne said coldly and with a bite. "What do you want to talk about?"
"Three things actually. The first is what your friend said last night." He stated, gesturing to Tracey. "Something about Potions. While you came to ask me about protecting your sister, was that the only thing you wanted to ask?"
Daphne hesitated for a moment but decided that she was already in his debt and he hadn't called on it so why shouldn't she.
"Yes… My Potion's grade isn't high enough and my skills could use more work. I was wondering if you could share your notes, or perhaps-"
"Tutor you?" Harry interjected.
Daphne glared at him, but all the same, nodded. "Yes."
"I don't see why I can't." Harry said to which both Tracey and Daphne relaxed and looked more relieved, Tracey more so then Daphne.
"However I am busy and my time is precious." Harry continued drawing the mood back down to somber. "Forgive me for being blunt but are you willing to pay me back for my aid?"
"And what do you want as compensation? Gold?" Daphne asked.
"No." Harry said flatly. "As you already know, I was muggle raised so am quite unfamiliar with a great deal."
"You want us to tutor you in wizarding customs?" Daphne interrupted.
"Not exactly." Harry corrected. "Just to be willing to answer questions I have from time to time. Like this for example." Harry said. The trio watched Harry as he put his hand into his robe and pulled out a parchment about an inch thick, held together with string.
Daphne picked it up and started reading it and as she read her eyes went wide with shock.
"Hey? Daph, what is it?" Tracey asked, trying to look over her shoulder.
Down on the parchment she read, 'Blood, Magic, and Lineages. A thesis on the relationship and connection between magic and the blood that wields it.'
The connection of magic to blood may be more literal then wizarding cult may realize or care to notice. The undisputed truth that blood magic is powerful inspires the question as to why. Why does magic gather in powerful family bloodlines? Does it actually gather? This inquiry brought about a realization that there may be a strong connection linking blood and lineages together as well as why some family lines fall into decline. The following index will go into depth on each portion of my research. The ending conclusion made is that the current state of the wizarding world and its decline may very well be a result of our misunderstanding of this premise.
"You can't honestly expect me to think this is even worth reading?" Daphne said in disbelief.
Harry shrugged. "This was written by a twelve-year-old boy with two years of magical experience and study. It's a very rough thesis, written by a genius potioneer who just so happened to be able to use runes you know nothing about and outplay his seniors for a whole year despite their ability." Harry said with exasperation. More seriously Harry added, "Just read a bit of it. If it's rubbish and the evidence isn't conclusive to convince you there's a possibility then just forget it."
Daphne just sat there looking at him with disbelief. Slowly, she returned her attention to the parchment and began to read. Section one,
Daphne looked up at Harry after reading into the notes Harry presented her. Stunned disbelief. Everything he wrote, if proven true… it would shake the wizarding society all the way to its foundation.
"This… this is incredible. Potter, if you publish this, you'd be famous around the world." Daphne said, ignoring Tracey who had stolen the paper from her hands to read it herself, in-depth.
"I'm already famous and I doubt it will change my fame for the better as it currently is. There still isn't enough evidence to prove my theory." Harry admitted.
"True." Tracey said. "On top of being radically different from what we're taught, there's only superficial bloodlines here for proof."
"Which is where your price comes into play." Harry said with a grin. Daphne and Tracey looked up at him. "The Greengrass lineage is well known for its connections to many pureblood circles and its own long history as an Ancient family. With your help, I could fill in the blanks and missing evidence to my thesis."
Daphne sharpened her eyes and stared Harry down. "You want access to my family's secrets. You're more stupid then I thought if you think I'd share my family secrets just because you were stupid enough to use your own family's magic to help my sister."
"That wasn't family magic." Harry stated.
"What?" Daphne asked.
"It wasn't family magic. Those were simple runes that anyone could use if they know the language."
Daphne again was left shocked. How could that be? Such powerful runes and they weren't some secret magic?
"Then…"
"I'm not asking for any family secrets Daphne. I'm just asking you to look into what your family can and share with me what you're willing and able to." Harry said, interrupting her once again. "Feel free to take this and look it over in detail. I trust my work is well done and researched. Simply look it over and write down any information that is free to be shared that may benefit my work, or proves it wrong, whichever one turns out to be the truth. In exchange for you answering any other questions I have pertaining to Wizarding society and traditions I'll offer you my aid in tutoring and practicing Potion making and even Herbology."
After he finished the sat in silence for only a few minutes before a dark robed figure stood over them. Behind him, Snape loomed over Harry, a look of disgust etched deep in his features. He scoffed and pried his dagger like eyes away from Harry and turned his gaze towards Daphne and Tracey.
"Your schedules." he said flatly, a hint of disdain. "Potter. Your detention will be at nine tonight. Do not be late, and don't think about showing your face to me until then."
Without another word the Professor left grumbling under his breath.
"What was that about?" Tracey asked before grabbing her schedule from the pile left behind.
"He's most likely frustrated that he has to go hunt down our classmates to hand them their schedules." Harry said with a hint of amusement.
"Is that why you have detention only after just starting the semester?" Tracey teased.
"Don't be stupid." Daphne interjected, a hint of envy in her eyes. "That's the cover for your apprenticeship, right."
Harry shrugged. "Probably."
Collecting his papers and books Harry gave Daphne and Tracey a polite bow. "Sorry to leave after forcing this conversation but I have a lot of work to do. When you wish to do a lesson come to my room and knock on my door four times. If I'm there I'll welcome you in and help how I can."
Without waiting for a response Harry made haste to leave.
"Harry! Hold up!"
With half a foot on the main entrance stairway, Harry paused for Ginny who was chasing after him. "Damn it Harry. You've been so distant since this morning."
Harry rubbed the back of his head with his free hand. "Sorry Ginny, it's not on purpose." He said solemnly.
"I know, I know. However you could tell me what you're working on. Nothing I've seen looks remotely related to stopping the events to come." Ginny said with a soft smile.
Harry looked at her and sighed dishearteningly. "I have. The runes I was working on were the foundation for a tracking ward. An array that I could both use to track the serpent's movements as needed as well as for protecting our fresh blood."
"Fresh blood?" Ginny asked.
"The Slytherin Initiation. Subservience to the pureblooded or you suffer." Harry said mournfully. Harry then spoke to Ginny, telling her what Tracey had told him back in the early days of spring of what the children of Death Eaters did to those of lesser social standing.
Ginny gripped her fists in anger, her nails threatening to pierce her own skin. The pain helped calm her rage as she thought through her frustrations and anger. "The rumors that Slytherin is a breeding ground for Death Eaters isn't all that wrong then."
"Is that what they say?" Harry asked.
"It's what Gryffindors said all the time last time. Even us." Ginny said with no shortage of shame.
"We vilified them in our ignorance then?"
Ginny nodded, "Yeah, we did. So on another note, trip runes are a good precaution, but what else are you going to do?"
"For now, nothing at all." Harry admitted. "We don't know where or if the Diary is even here. If the chamber is opened, we'll know exactly what is responsible and can respond in kind."
"Actually, the first sign of trouble would be at Hagrid's rooster coop. Last time the diary had me kill all the roosters before the chamber was opened." Ginny interjected.
"I… see." Harry said uncertainty.
"What?" Ginny asked, seeing his confusion.
"No, it's nothing." Harry said.
"By the way Harry, was that a really good idea?" Ginny asked.
"What was?"
"Sharing your thesis with that girl. She is a Slytherin, what if she tries to steal your work?" Ginny inquired.
"Don't forget you're a Slytherin too now. " Harry teased before turning serious again. "Even if she does it doesn't change anything. That Thesis was just a theory I came up upon during my own studies trying to learn all I could about magic."
Stopping in the hallway, Harry paused to speak aloud, more to himself than to Ginny. "What is Magic? How do we come to possess magic? Why is it declining? How did the war turn a state of magical decline turn into a hell of beasts and plant life in only a couple centuries? And then there's the question that led to my theory; why is Pureblood ideology a thing in our society? What is it? From what knowledge did the concept spawn from?"
"And asking those questions led you to this, the blood treasures we call Squibs." Ginny said aloud, calling Harry to acknowledge her presence.
"Yes." Harry said, his voice drifting.
"So? Why give it to Daphne Greengrass?" Ginny asked. "Why let her take it?"
"The War." Harry replied. Ginny looked up in realization. "Now I see. With this, I suppose you could avoid the worst case scenario."
"Or alleviate the worst of it. The whole division of pureblood and muggle born promoted and worsened the tensions between the naturals and wizards. Leaving us divided with internal conflict. With this paper, we could change all of that." Harry stated. Then it dawned on her, "Oh, now I see. It doesn't matter who publishes it, only that it gets published and believed."
Harry smiled. "Yeah. Plus, I doubt they would publish any of it. The contents are radical at best and would undermine every pureblood like Malfoy at worst. A family like the Greengrass wouldn't dare publish it without some very convincing evidence."
"But why her?"
"The Greengrass are a falling family. From what I've read, they are an ancient and noble family of wizards and witches. Their lineage alone holds much weight on top of their own vast empire in buying and selling expensive, exotic and novel Potion ingredients. However, their success is not what it appears to be. In recent years they have been in decline, thanks to Malfoy if the trail of money is correct. They are the most likely to have access to those who are less radical in their beliefs and to have connections that can provide the evidence my theory needs. Plus their falling reputation means they will be more eager to aid me and steal my work since it would revive their falling family." Harry explained.
"You picked her out!" Ginny said with a cheeky grin. "Smart."
"I only went with the flow. She asked for my help and I just made use of the situation."
Ginny began laughing out. "I bet she was stumped trying to figure out your game. Why you'd help her and what you want from her as payment. A true Slytherin if there ever was one. Cunning and conniving. I bet she doesn't have a clue you played her without her even noticing."
"I'm not using her, not really. She's getting the most out of it really. Everything I get is only if she acts I suspect she will." Harry stated. "I didn't exactly plan this ahead enough to call it conniving or plotting. Certainly not enough to be toying with her."
"Oh, don't get so defensive. I find it very attractive when you're plotting about." Ginny stated, with a shit-eating grin.
"Really? Well, I guess you'll find me very attractive in the days to come." Harry said back.
"Who says I don't find you so right now." Ginny replied, licking her lips.
Kissing her on the cheek Harry grinned. "No one at all."
Ginny smirked back at him but frowned as she looked over his shoulder. "Don't look now but we have a water beetle behind us?"
"A what?" Harry asked, confused.
"Right, sorry, you don't remember. Eavesdropper, someone's behind you hiding behind the wall." Ginny explained.
"Was that something I told you?" Harry asked.
"Hermione told me actually. I did have a life outside of my love you know." Ginny said with a small smile.
"Shall we walk?" Harry offered. Ginny nodded and started off, Harry right beside her.
"You mentioned it earlier. Do you think it won't happen?" Ginny asked, clarifying her meaning with an imitation of a snake's hissing.
"Yeah… it might, but I'm not positive. The book is missing, not being in your possession and all, so we don't even know if it's here. However… there is the elf problem."
"Oh right, Dobby didn't visit your house this time." Ginny said with realization.
"Only because he likely couldn't. The apartment is heavily warded. The barrier at the station however did close, just like in your story." Harry confirmed.
"Which means he is trying to 'save you'… that means the plot is going to happen this year." Ginny rationalized.
"It's a good indicator. However there is the problem that I'm no longer on the Quidditch team." Harry pointed out.
"Oh yeah… The rogue bludger, that means he might try something else." Ginny considered.
"But it tells us there's a good chance something might happen. I think we should focus on our studies for now while making preparations. We know what signs to keep an eye out for. What do you think?" Harry asked.
"Dead roosters, blood writing, and rogue bludgers, right?" Ginny said with a smirk.
"Or anything else that doesn't seem normal." Harry offered to which Ginny nodded in agreement.
"Sounds good. No reason to over work ourselves when we're only suspicious. That way I can focus on practicing and building up my strength and you can work on conquering Slytherin, stopping a war, and taking down the uncrowned bright lord." Ginny said with an air of conclusion.
"We have a shadow… is it wise to say all that?" Harry said with a raised eye.
"Not all of us are so forgetful you know." Ginny quipped back spinning her wand in her hand.
Harry smirked. Silent spellcasting, likely a privacy charm. "Nicely done."
"I thought so. Anyway I better get going, First classes and all that. Can't believe they start ours so quickly. Last time we had a few days to prepare for classes." Ginny complained.
Probably pushed up the time table to provide the time for Madam Pomfrey to meet with all the students for her medical lessons, Harry thought. "Your first class is Potions, right?"
Ginny sighed, "Yep, with the greasy bat." She said in annoyance.
"You should head off then Ginny. Wouldn't want you to miss class on the first day right?" Harry said with a hint of pity. "Keep your wits about you."
"Yeah, yeah." Ginny replied with a carefree wave. Turning she whispered under her breath out of sight. "I'll be careful so don't worry."
Standing there watching her leave Harry waited until he was alone.
"Now then." Harry muttered as he walked down the hall. As he turned the corner opposite the hall Ginny went down, Harry stopped and clothed himself with his invisibility cloak. Turning around, Harry spotted the figure they had sensed shadowing their presence. "Malfoy. Of course." Speeding across the hall to ambush him, Harry hid behind an armor and waited.
When Malfoy turned the corner, in an instant Harry grabbed him and while he squealed in shock Harry thrust him into the wall.
"Release ME!" he cried out but froze in fear as he stared into the eyes of death, with a wand shoved up his open mouth.
"Malfoy." Harry said coldly. "I can tolerate a great deal, but I will make this perfectly clear. Touch a single hair on any I call a friend, do them any harm at all and I will show you just how insignificant you and your family are. When I'm finished, you'd have wished I killed you here and now. Am I clear?"
Malfoy whimpering in fear tried to nod his head as Harry smiled kindly, sheathing his wand and replacing it his palm, which glowed a slumbering blue.
Malfoy dropped like a rock, instantly asleep and unresponsive.
"Now then. I have a little less than eleven hours till my 'detention'. I should probably start by setting up the wards around the school.
"Harry!"
Harry stopped and turned around to dodge the arm of Fred who nearly fell having lost his planned armrest.
"Nice dodge." George said from behind his brother.
"Fred, George. A good morning to you two."
"Thanks Harry." Fred said, regaining his footing.
"But before our greeting, we need to ask you something." George started, "It has to do with Ginny." Fred ended.
"About her safety right?" Harry asked.
"Our sister's in the snake pit. Like it or hate it, she's our sister and we don't want her hurt." Fred stated.
"We know she's a tough cookie, but it wouldn't hurt to have some insurance." George added.
"Therefore," Fred said.
The two looked at each other and nodded. With an exaggerated bow they pleaded, "Please keep an eye out for our sister."
"Please don't bow." Harry begged them, raising them by their shoulders. "I'll keep an eye out for her. A sister of yours is a sister of mine."
"We're counting on you Harry oh non-brother of mine." Fred said with a grin.
"Don't worry, although you two might want to get a move on." Harry said with his own grin.
"What do you mean by that?" They asked in sync.
"Well, last night I pulled a prank in your sister's defense. A little spell to keep the troublemakers at bay so your sister would wake up to a nice undisturbed morning."
The twins blinked blankly before turning towards each other. Looking back at Harry that asked together, "A spell?"
Pulling out a vial he had taken with him the night before, Harry showed it to them. "Nasty stuff. Harmless and unassuming in a liquid state, but placed a small amount out with a wick to light and suddenly you have an instant aromatic sleeping draft floating on the breeze. A small whiff and you'll be out for hours, over the course of a night and you have a solid day of sleep, unless someone forcibly wakes you up." Harry said with a grin.
Fred and George again looked toward each other and burst out into laughter.
"So that's why the snake's table was so empty!" Fred said.
"My dear brother, before us stands a challenger who has claimed the first prank of the year." George commented between laughs.
"Any chance we can get a sample of this miracle liquid?" Fred asked.
"I don't know?" Harry said with a playful tease. "This stuff is pretty expensive."
"Oh come now Harry. Certainly from one prankster to another, surely we can come to some kind of arrangement." George said with an over the top begging voice that sounded like it belonged to a whining girl.
Harry smirked and then frowned as a thought came to mind. Sensing the dark change within Harry the twins sobered up their playing and became confused. Serious, but confused.
"Harry?"
"What's wrong?" The twins shared a look. "Was it something we said?"
"Actually…" Harry began hesitantly, "There is something you can do."
Looking past them Harry bit his thumb in contemplation. "Take it." Harry said, tossing the vial to Fred who caught it, fumbling it for a moment until it lay in his hands.
"Wha?" George asked as the both looked at the vial in Fred's hands.
"Listen carefully." Harry said seriously. "This will sound suspicious but I have a favor, a very serious one to ask of you."
Fred and George looked at each other and nodded. Confused but willing to listen.
"Something big might happen this year, something bad." Harry explained. "It's rumors and conjecture at this point but I'll need your help if they're proven true. I need you to keep an eye out for a black diary."
"A diary?" Fred inquired.
"Yes, it's likely about this big in size," Harry said, gesturing at the book's approximate size with his hands. "And is likely very dangerous. Promise me you'll keep an eye out for anyone in possession of such a book and tell me. Just don't confront them if you see it. And no matter what, don't touch and write in it." Harry emphasized.
This was a gamble and Harry knew it. Unlike Tonks, or Ginny, the Twins were in it for fun. Their relationship was mostly give and take. There was no promise they would keep their word or that it would remain secret. They were riley and unruly troublemakers, but they were fun loving and caring. Harry knew they had the hearts of a Griffin. Loyal, determined, and honorable . Good friends to be sure, Harry wasn't certain they would do such a suspicious act. However he knew they would keep a secret.
If the opening of the chamber did come to pass, he knew they would grow suspicious and demand answers, but he also knew they would tell anyone else until he told them first.
The Twins were many things. Tricksters, mischievous, playful, but rats they were not.
Regardless, Harry trusted his gut on this one. Telling them was the right call. A weight lifted from his shoulders. It was comforting knowing that the stage was already coming to shape.
Returning to the dorms, Harry once more pulled his cloak of invisibility from his robes. In all honesty, he was coming to truly love this little enchantment he placed on his robes. An array of runes that physically connected the shadows of his robe, in contact with the array, to his trunk and anything he might need from within.
With cloak in hand and on shoulder, unknown to all, Harry returned to his trunk. Descending back into the mess, with a full belly to no longer distract him Harry stood in front of the rune forge.
Looking over his array once more Harry did not let a smile of pride or accomplishment grace his face. The array was complex enough. And should his idea not work, he'd have to start from scratch in finding an alternative solution. Even as he brooded over the anvil, a warming presence reassured him that his ploy would work, as Navi floated in and perched herself upon his shoulder.
Sparing her a glance she smiled and Harry felt more confident in his work, not just assured that it would.
First he drew out the array, clapping as if to pray Harry then spread his hands out causing a large blue bubble like barrier to form over the anvil's stone surface. Drawing his wand he started to write. A trace rune, the same that would allow his array to be transferred from one object to another flawlessly. This would serve as the foundation for the array to be placed on the room or location required of the user. Followed by the full array that solidified the confined space into a single unmoving object. The same protection he used to keep the Slyhterin's out last year.
Now came the new parts. A loop cast charm, printed out with an array held within. Another modified trace rune, with an attached tracking rune and spell lock array. A bit of cleverness was needed for this one. If the intruder tried to break in by force, the array would absorb the majority of the spell both weakening it and containing the remnants to be used to power the counter spell applied. A simple vanishing charm, to be triggered by the protective wards of the great hall. A gift provided by Navi.
As a result of this array's design, it works much like a computer code's loop command. The array would rewrite this portion to be cast onto the aggressor and once that is done, for every spell used to break down into the room by force a piece of clothing would vanish from their person when they arrive at the Great hall.
The following runes were an assortment of magical suppression, protections and concealments, to hinder the damage of spells used, and minimize awareness of the room's location as to inhibit random attackers who aren't seeking a specific target. Finally a concealment array, courtesy of his own invisibility cloak so that only he would be able to see and find the arrays and alter them as needed or if needed.
Almost an hour had passed and Harry was done writing it. Sighing he knew the hard part began. Debugging. Like coding itself, debugging was the hard part, reviewing the work written and correcting false portions or errors in the arrays makeup was tedious and so easy to miss. A single error could bring harm to anyone or everyone near the array, so needless to say this part was important in the process of creation.
Confident that all was good, and only having to make about sixty corrections, Harry began the easy part, copying the array to paper. A feat the Rune Forge made infinitely simple. With a wand in hand Harry raised it and tapped the array drawing a circle in the air. Placing his fingers tips on to the image he pulled, pulling a duplicate written into thin air from the original. Harry then tapped the circle again and letting go of his hand he brought the orb of blue down to a piece of paper. The orb sunk into the parchment like it was being slurped up by it. A flash later and the parchment was filled with the symbols still floating over the anvil, however instead of each symbol being the font size of forty-eight, now the letting was that of two.
"Efficient and concise. Again, I love the creators of this relic." Harry said with great pleasure. Continuing to make copies, Harry stopped when he made roughly two hundred.
Not aware of how late it was, Harry continued working. Stepping out his trunk draped, again, in his cloak Harry looked toward Navi.
"Now Hogwarts, show me those in need of protection." Harry murmured, his body gone under the shelter of his cloak. Navi nodded and flew off to the first door. Pointing at it impatiently Harry nodded.
"Yeah, yeah I know."
Harry pulled out one of the sheets and placing it face down on the door traced his wand on its back. Seconds later, Harry waited to see if anything happened, thought nothing showed him if it worked or not.
"Huh… this might be a problem." He muttered but the erratic jumping sprite proved informative.
"It worked?" Harry asked, smiling when the little pixie nodded gleefully. "Right then, lead on."
Door to door with due diligence Harry followed the spirit of Hogwarts as it moved to and from each door within the dormitory, even providing Harry access to the rooms of his seniors whom he normally would have no chance of reaching.
By the time he was done, the sun was well past its zenith.
"Two-hundred and twelve at risk huh, who would have thought." Harry muttered to himself. "Is that all of them?" Harry asked his little friend. Navi frowned and shook her head.
"Where else?" Harry asked but the small spirit of Hogwarts frown grew even deeper. Harry was perplexed but considering the reaction he could think of several causes. There were others but Hogwarts was too weak to help them, they were too far for him or her to help, or there was some magic preventing them from being reached, just to name a few.
"Do what you can." Harry said, patting the spirits head. "Keep an eye out on the chamber entrances. Should they open we might have a problem that we can't stop on our own."
The small sprite nodded reassuringly and flew off.
Returning to his room Harry looked outside and his eyes went wide. Running towards his clock he cursed. "It's already after two!? Shit, I missed Transfiguration and Herbology has already started!"
Grabbing his cloak Harry rushed out the door, hoping to catch the tail end of double Herbology if only just the end portion.
"Hahahaha!"
Harry sat at the Slytherin table with an irritable and annoyed smile as Ginny roared in fits of laughter as Harry quietly took the humiliation.
"Hahaha… three, three detentions… and in only two days." Ginny laughed out.
"Yeah, as I already told you, three." Harry mumbled.
"Pff, Hahahahaha!"
Sighing, Harry planted his hands in his face as Ginny continued to break down into mindless fits of laughter. Harry's own smile hidden in his hands.
"Seriously Ginny?" Harry said, trying his best to hide his own amusement.
"Right. Sorry." Ginny said as she tried her hardest to pull her laughter under control. "Pff, three…"
Harry groaned in his hands, as Ginny hearing him gave a quiet apology.
"It's your own fault Harry for skipping class." Hermione added across from him.
"I wasn't skipping." Harry said irritably at Hermione. "I was ditching."
"That's the same thing Harry." Hermione argued back.
"No, ditching is not going to class for a reason, skipping if for the hell of it."
"That's the same thing Harry." Hermione repeated to Harry.
"Fine! Your right, I'm wrong." Harry groaned out while muttering under his breath that it was technically two detentions not three.
A calmed down Ginny finally let out one final chuckle before she looked at Harry, her head resting in her arms as she looked up at him. "So? What detentions do you have with whom?"
"Well, I have detention with Snape in an hour," Harry said counting off his finger while adding under his breath once again that technically it wasn't a detention. "Immediately afterwards I have detention with McGonagall for coming in late, and I have detention with Professor Sprout for missing two thirds of my double Herbology class."
Ginny bit back a chuckle as Harry rolled his eyes.
"Seriously Harry, what were you doing?" Hermione asked.
"Would you believe I was setting up traps to catch a couple of rodents?" Harry asked with a grin.
Hermione pouted and punched him in the arm, "No. I wouldn't." Hermione barked causing Harry to curl back a bit. Huffing, Hermione went back to her homework. "Seriously Harry, you should take your classes more seriously."
"Classes or Learning?" Harry asked with a smirk.
"Both." She bit back.
"Fine." Harry moaned out. "But classes aside, I do take my learning seriously."
"I know." Hermione muttered.
Harry looked at her with a raised eyebrow. Ginny looked at her only with a smile.
"What?" Hermione asked with disbelief. "You didn't think I thought you were a lazy slacker did you?" Closing her book she dug out of her sack a bunch of papers. The same papers Harry let her take with her on the train.
"I did my own investigation this morning and you were right. There are a lot of strange and odd occurrences. Your own investigation was quite thorough on its own so I know you're not a slacker Harry." Hermione said while Harry took the parchment and looked over Hermione's own additions and notes.
Raising his eyebrows as he read, Harry was astonished at the depth of additional information Hermione had found out about Albus and more importantly other events that didn't quite seem normal. One in particular that stood out was a case Hermione circled out as happening fifty years ago.
"This is really thorough." Harry said, causing Hermione to smile with pride. "Still…" Harry muttered, deflating Hermione's ego a bit unintentionally.
"There is still the question of why. All this, while only speculation, can't be coincidental. Even assuming Albus is plotting something, what is the common link. Why do all of this?"
Hermione, turning contemplative nodded in agreement. "I haven't figured that out. I feel like you're grasping at straws but, the more I look into it seriously, the more I believe your right that there is something going on in the background. Like this event,", she said pointing to the red circled note. "This is a major event yet there's hardly any reference or record of it ever happening."
Harry leaned back leisurely, "It would really be nice if we knew what he was up to." Without a common thread to add all the events together, all he had was speculations. He had evidence that Albus was guilty of crimes against himself and the students of his year and those who were above him, but aside from himself there was no other common thread.
"Why me?" Harry asked himself. "What's so special about me?"
Ginny, while having several answers to his question, held her tongue in favor of pointing another fact out.
"Shouldn't you head to your first class-sorry-detention Harry?" She asked with a grin.
Harry pouted and stuck his tongue out causing her to laugh. She was right though and waving goodbye to them Harry made his way towards the dungeons.
"Why Harry…?" Hermione muttered in thought. Ginny having not heard her continued to watch Harry leave.
Packing up her things, Hermione gathered her books and stuffed them away along with the parchment Harry left behind.
"Leaving already?" Ginny asked.
"Yeah." Hermione said while tossing her bag over her shoulder. "There's something I want to look up."
Ginny smiled and got up herself. "Can I help? I have nothing to do for another two hours or so."
Hermione smiled and nodded, "If you want to."
Ginny smirked and together she and Hermione left for the Library.
Five minutes later, Harry stood in front of Snape's classroom, where his office lay just beyond its threshold. Pushing the door open Harry walked in and across the vacant room. Taking measure of the room and its contents Harry made his way to the office of his head of house and knocked.
"Enter Potter!" Snape's voice bellowed from beyond.
As Harry entered the fumes of numerous potions weighed heavily on Harry's nose. Even his own trunk, which held countless brews set to simmer couldn't produce such a pungent aroma.
"Stop wasting my time Potter." Snape said with an irritated tone. "Take care of the brews on the left. A single failure and I'll have you hanging till morning.
"Well… isn't he chipper." Harry thought to himself. Stripping his school robe off Harry went straight to work. The first brew was an advanced healing brew, something a sixth year student would normally deal with as a final if at all. Harry, failing to hold back his amusement, scoffed at the unreasonable task he was being given.
"What was that Potter?" Snape's greasy voice demanded.
"Nothing sir, the fumes caught me off guard." Harry lied trying to hide his own annoyance.
"That will be ten points Potter. I won't have an apprentice who's so incompetent that he is caught 'off guard' by mere fumes." Snape bit out. Harry all the while was only partially listening as he started immediately on the potion for no reason other than it would be a waste to leave it as is. Especially with what may be coming in the future.
"Listen well Potter. As it pains me to admit you have some talent for the art of potions. However I will not be teaching you anything. You are here to prove your worth for a letter of acceptance. Make no mistake. If you do not live up to my expectations, or fail to produce results, or shame my reputation, I will ensure you never receive my recommendation." Snape said with as much hate that was possible to be heard. It almost sounded like he was in pain himself, despising every word that he was forcing out.
"Know this. I do not wish to have your presence stain my presence for longer than needed. So, if you by some miracle, master the art in the next two years, then I will acknowledge your mastery and give you your letter of acknowledgement. As much as I hate you, I would not see such little talent go to waste."
Harry almost turned around to look in shock, his dedication of completing the potion alone holding him in place. "Two years? Did he say two years?" Harry asked himself.
Harry wasn't sure if he should jump for joy or curse his good luck. From what he read, a normal apprenticeship at its shortest was a decade. That meant he'd literally be able to get a masters in record time.
Moving onto the next potion, having prepped the former to the point where it needed to sit for an hour, Harry got to work on the furthest one from him, identifying it as needing attention before the others. Jumping from each one to the next, Harry slowly started to get exactly what this was. It was a trial. No, it was more a gauntlet then a trial.
There were nine potions, each one just as advanced or difficult to manage as the next. Handling all of them required both experience and foreknowledge to maintain. Knowing which ones to handle first, what each one needed, and when and how to give each potion the ingredients and attention it needed without corrupting the others around it. Without any information other than the boiling pot to convey what it would be, Harry was left to handle unknown potions, which required unknown ingredients, left to brew at an unknown starting point and left for him to handle in the midst of the process.
This was an unreasonable test and told Harry the next two years would be just as unreasonable. Even so, while he had not experimented with these particular potions yet, he remembered their distinct requirements from his studies with Tonks.
Potion after potion, Harry jumped from one to the next, carefully prepping the next ingredients in the process before handling them with quick efficiency. Harry thanked his lucky stars that he spent so much effort into mastering the levitation spell. Its potential for combat aside, he would not have been able to handle the workload without it.
For an hour, Harry spent his time in a pattern of repetition. The quiet lull, where the potions simmered or were stirred until the next ingredient was met. A quiet period when he could prep the next ingredients and analyze the states of each potion. This calm before the storm, that led straight into the chaos of micro managing the introduction of several ingredients at once, followed by a rush of movement as Harry had to jump from each potion to the next.
Harry wasn't expecting each potion to be completed when finally the hour had set. Each potion was complete and despite Professor Snapes 'best' effort, flawless. Snape glazed over each potion, not even taking a second to assess them and grunted in annoyance and frustration.
"If you have time to stand around doing nothing, then take this potion," he pointed to the middle one, a potent calming draught, "up to the hospital wing and get out of my sight."
Harry nodded in silence. Much to Snape's interest Harry pulled out a box of vials, each one marked in milliliters and enchanted to hold much more than it should. Again Harry thanked the stars for his mastery in levitation. Pointing his wand he carefully levitated the potion out of the cauldron and dispersed it into each vial while the corks floated above waiting eagerly to plug the contents in their respective containers. The streams of blue liquid flowed from the spherical source along numerous rivers of tendril like streams, each entering and filling a respective container.
The show of skill was by far over the top, but that was more or less due to Harry not knowing how to instantly transfer one substance into another container. He was only just starting to work on the summoning charm and banishing charms respectively. Such magic was fifth and above, the latter which he was working on only fourth year. Incidentally Harry already had a working repelling charm, the difference being on was focused on power, the other control. The latter of which Harry wanted to learn.
With a pop, each of the corks flew down and sealed their respective containers.
Harry nodded and lowered his wand and picked up the small moderately sized crate of bottles turned to give Snape a curt yet respectful bow, not that the greasy bat deserved it.
As Harry left, he noticed all the while the Snape was eyeing him with a cold, inquisitive glare. Even as the door shut, Snape stood there carefully taking note of Potters display.
As much as he hated to admit it, the boy held a talent for potions that dwarfed both his own, but even Lily's. Even if her talent lay more in charms, Lily was unbelievable in potion-making. He was so much like her, and that was unforgivable. That someone like that man, even resembled Lily grated on Snape unbelievably. He wasn't deserving of her talent.
Even so, his pride could not forgive such talent to fall into mediocrity. One way or another, his passion for potions couldn't allow for him to ignore that talent.
Looking over at the remaining potions, Snape clicked his tongue. He wouldn't say it. He would not say it. No matter how flawless his work, he would not admit it.
Snape gritted his teeth until they hurt, until the sound of bone straining to crack started to echo in his ears. Gliding to his shelf of potion stock, he pulled out a personal calming draught and skele-gro to deal with the pain in his jaw and the grating of his frustration.
As Snape took a swig, Harry walked up to the hospital wing, careful with the contents of his delivery. Reaching the large doors, Harry levitated the box out of his hands momentarily to knock before letting it back into his waiting arms.
The doors opened, and Madam Pomfrey stood there and upon seeing him, she huffed in annoyance.
"Really Mr. Potter? Not even a week?" she asked while rubbing her eyes. The dark bags under her eyes, and the sign of fatigue.
"I'm actually here as a delivery boy." Harry corrected.
Pomfrey looked down and finally registering the box's presence nodded and sighed.
"Oh, the calming draughts I requested. Thank you Mr. Potter." She said as she gestured for Harry to follow her. Walking inside Harry noticed a portion of the room cordoned off from the rest of the wing. "On the table behind the curtain if you would Mr. Potter." Pomfrey instructed.
Harry walked beyond the curtain into what was a makeshift room. Harry noticed several privacy wards, sown into the curtains, and also the large work desk beside the lone medial bed. Placing the box down on the table Pomfrey inspected one of the vials, pulling it out to briefly check its coloration.
"As expected of Professor Snape. Please relay my thanks if you can Mr. Potter as well as my request for more of similar quality." Pomfrey acknowledged looking thoroughly upset at the small quantity.
"I told that man I needed at least ten times this much." She grumbled to herself, not realizing Harry was still able to hear her complaint.
"Those vials have expansion charms, Madam Pomfrey." Harry said quietly.
Stopping in mid stride, she looked back and quickly checked the validity of his statement, pouring out a small serving into a cup, and barely denting the level within the vial. "I see, my apologies. Please, give Professor Snape my thanks."
"I'm pretty sure I'd get detention if I tried ma'am." Harry replied.
Madam Pomfrey opened her mouth to comment but instead shook her head and sighed. She was too exhausted to bother telling a child off, that late in the night to be respectful and decided to drop the subject.
"Very well Mr. Potter." She said quietly in a drained voice. Looking up at him she considered something for a moment before adding just as he was about to leave, "Since you're here Mr. Potter perhaps we can take care of your health evaluation."
Harry froze as his hand was about to push the doors open, instead resting on the bronze plate. "Evaluation? You mean what the headmaster was going on about during the feast?"
"Yes, Mr. Potter, although it's not completely required since you already are in the know, it would at least give precedence to my insistence on the topic."
Harry wondered for a moment but shrugged and walked over to where she stood. Opening the curtain up for him she gestured for him to rest on the bed. Sitting down Harry folded his hands and rested them on his knees as he leaned forward.
"So, this isn't actually a medical evaluation?" Harry pointed out.
Pomfrey stiffened for a moment before she admitted, "No, at least not in the traditional sense."
Sitting down behind the desk she looked at Harry and tried to retain her air of professionalism despite her exhaustion.
"We've already talked about this before, but as a wizard grows into maturity their magic also starts to affect their health. Just to be clear, can you tell me what you remember about what happens as a witch or wizard develops their magic to the point it builds up within their body."
Harry took a breath to collect his thoughts before starting. "Upon entering puberty a witch or wizards magic begins to grow exponentially, sometimes faster than the body can keep up with. This fact along with natural stresses and stimuli can result in magic buildup or stagnation of magic within the body, influencing magical, mental, and physical attributes of the individual, sometimes even to the point of self-harm."
Pomfrey nodded with a straight and unassuming frown. "Very good. I'm glad you remember. What are some of the effects this buildup can have?"
"It varies." Harry replied causing her to raise an eyebrow at him. "Depending on the witch or wizard the buildup of magic can have varying effects. Change in personality, heightened behavioral aggression, heightened anxiety, irrational decision making, etcetera. It can manifest in a different manner between subjects. Physical altercation seems to be a latter symptom, likely due to the nature of magic itself, but mental altercations appear to be the most prominent in early stages."
"I am impressed, Mr. Potter. When did you come to learn of this?" Pomfrey asked.
"I spent a great deal learning from my own mistakes as well as seeing it firsthand in others." Harry admitted. He himself in hindsight realized his previous year was plagued by symptoms of magical buildup. His uncertainty, guilt, and self-reflection was highly unnatural for him, while he was sure some of it was blamable on hormones, he was confident that not all of it was caused by natural chemistry.
Normally he would sooner act then stop and doubt himself, especially on certain matters involving those he cared about. It wasn't until Tonks turned from her normally playful and rebellious self to be highly agitated and aggressive, not to mention vocal, bitch that Harry realized the true depth of his own symptoms.
"I see…" Pomfrey said aloud to herself. Writing something down on a notepad she then asked, "And do you remember how to prevent magical buildup from happening?"
"Sex." Harry said flatly causing Madam Pomfrey to be taken aback at his bluntness.
Coughing slightly she nodded, "Well, not quite how I would put it but yes, although that isn't completely accurate Mr. Potter."
"I'm well aware," Harry informed, "I just wanted to see your stunned face."
His snickering grin vanished as she cast a stinging charm at him. "Please behave Mr. Potter."
"Sorry Madam Pomfrey. Since magic buildup is a result of both mental and physical stresses, such as exams and simple growing up, a combination of both mental and physical relief help elevate symptoms. To release the pent up magic however, external aid is needed. Sex, or any sexual activities that provide euphoria, is the most optimal means of releasing this buildup. This release can only occur however when both parties are consenting and are able to have their magic interact with each other. A good thing too, since if it was any other way, rape would become a viable solution."
Madam Pomfrey nodded in agreement even as her eyes darkened behind her half-moon spectacles. She wrote down some more notes and looked up at him. "Rightly so. Thank you Mr. Potter. Is there anything else you'd like to add? Any questions?"
"Yes actually, I have two." Harry said. Raising his finger he asked, "Is camouflaging this explanation as a medical examination a cover-up to hide your activities from the Headmaster?"
Madam Pomfrey glared at him so hard that Harry felt the air burning his skin. "And what gives you that impression Mr. Potter?"
Harry sighed. That explained so much. Figures the man was trying to control this information. He had his suspicions after talking with Mr. and Mrs. Tonks but until now it was speculation. Rubbing his own head, he grumbled. "That wasn't a no Madam Pomfrey." Sighing he explained, "There have been some rumors that the Headmaster's been trying to prevent certain topics from reaching the students. occlumency being one of them. I just assumed he was trying to control this information as well."
"And from whom did you hear this from?" Pomfrey asked.
"I'm no snitch Pomfrey," Harry said coldly and with a hint of hostility that surprised the elderly women.
"Very well Mr. Potter." Pomfrey stated hesitantly before returning her voice back to a neutral tone. "That will be all." She said, but Harry didn't move.
"I still have a second question on MUK ma'am."
Pomfrey stopped for a moment clearly desiring to leave but stayed all the same.
"Is there an official medical report, record, or documentation from the original healer who worked in the 137th medical ward during the war? I would like some first hand documents or medical records on the subject if they are available to be read."
"I'm surprised Mr. Potter." Pomfrey admitted. "And what would you do with these documents?"
"Study them." Harry said plainly. "If I remember correctly you said there was no written documentation of the subject for public use because of social stigmas. So, I would like to learn more, and the more primary the source the more accurate the information."
Pomfrey said nothing but nodded as she picked up her written notes.
"I will see if I can find anything." She said hesitantly, apparently having an internal debate on how to handle his request. "I will call for you if I get anything. Now off with you." She insisted.
Nodding, Harry left.
Turning to glance at the door for a moment Harry then proceeded to his dorm. His mind was left in a speculative wonder. He had learned much from that meeting. He confirmed that Albus was interfering with his students. Occlumency and M.U.K.-137, both critical subjects. Both very elusive topics, both vital to empowering a witch or wizard's means for self-protection, and both readily accessible to purebloods, but inaccessible to muggleborns unless books on the topic are accessible.
"What are you up to Dumbledore?" Harry muttered under his breath with a hostile bite. None of his actions made sense. Was this just another action to manipulate him? If so, why put so much stress on Pomfrey to not inform students. Clearly her stress was not normal, and a deliberate concealed legitimacy reading told Harry when he asked her his first question that Albus had pushed strongly for her to not inform the students, even using magic on her several times if he wasn't mistaken.
No, while that might have been a side objective, preventing him from learning about it, he already knew that he himself already had learned about MUK and Occlumency. His stunt with Snape last year at the very least confirmed occlumency was a lost cause. Even ignoring all the times he brushed up against his own metal barriers.
No, Albus was after something more general. The halt to the spread of Occlumency and MUK, the question was why. Why deliberately sabotage the health of upcoming students and those who already come and gone.
"Wait…" Harry muttered aloud. Pausing and putting his fingers on his chin he asked himself, "If I was him, why would I do it?" The answer was simple, to weaken them. No Occlumency meant easier access to their thoughts, while having no knowledge of MUK… that left Harry confused.
Moving again Harry walked to his room, his mind still turning in search of an answer. "Okay, backtrack. If the objective is to sabotage the students it wouldn't affect the purebloods who teach their own children. Their missing education, much like Nymphadora's, would be filled in by their parents. Much like her mother did for her.
"Wait, if the goal was to keep muggleborns out of the loop…" Harry pondered.
Stepping into his room and closing the door, Harry stood before his trunk, unaware he had arrived. "Why though…" He asked aloud. For power? Control? "Probably." Harry concluded. The man was seen as the paragon of magical equality, an enemy of pureblood philosophy.
Was Albus Sabotaging muggleborns so they remained ignorant?
Ignorant of what though? Their health? Why? Making them vulnerable is one thing but MUK could seriously affect a person permanently. Long standing effects along with death, also included deliberately harming one's own magic, weakening them magically.
Why promote muggleborns only to harm them. Why was Albus obsessed with him? Why place him with his relatives and keep him ignorant his whole life. Well… at least tried too, Harry added, smugly.
Pureblood extremists hated Albus because he defended the muggleborns and went against their ideals, so clearly Albus was protecting them in some manner. But why protect them publicly, make them your ally, only to weaken them in the end?
It made no sense.
Harry stood there for minutes before a bark called his attention.
On the cold window, Hedwig stood quietly.
"Hey Hedwig." Harry said, folding up his sleeve and offering his arm. Flying over she landed on his covered arm and gave an indigent bark.
"Yeah, I should get some sleep too." Harry said with a smile. Opening up his trunk he descended down with Hedwig carefully.
Once he reached the bottom Hedwig flew off and landed on her stand and ruffled her feathers a bit before getting herself comfortable.
Stripping himself of his clothes Harry agreed with her. He would worry about Albus tomorrow morning. For now he just wanted to sleep a bit.