It was Querkle!
"What...you…?" Henry gasped.
A sinister smile spread over the face of the Professor. Henry felt sick.
"Me," she said calmly and easily. "I had to wonder if I would be meeting you here tonight, Puffer." She put her two hands on her pregnant belly and rubbed the bump lovingly.
"But I thought...Snabes...and…" Henry was faltering.
"Sylvia?" Querkle barked out a cruel laugh. She didn't sound timid, quivering and respectful like normal. Her eyes were cold, sharp and focused. "Yes...now that you mention it Sylvia does seem the type, doesn't she? Haha! What dumb luck I have to have her swooping and prowling around the castle like an over grown cat. Next to a person like that, who would suspect p-p-poor, st-stuttering...m-m-m-me?" Hearing her 'normal' voice made Henry cringe with the reality that it didn't sound quite fake considering her actual voice.
This was breaking Henry's brain! He could barely stand it!
"But...Snabes tried to kill me! During the...Grilled Cheese Duel…!"
"NO, you idiot!" Henry felt as if he had been slapped, "I tried to kill you! Your sniveling friend Miss Ghadjer careened into me like a sweaty pig when she rushed over to set fire to Snabes during that Duel. She broke my eye contact with you!" Henry was panting so hard he had to put a hand to his chest. What was worse? The knowledge that an actual teacher had tried to kill him or...the fact that she was standing right in front of him now... all alone.
"Another moment or two and I would have had you off that broom to your doom," she sighed as if she had missed the weather report instead of casually discussing the murder of an eleven year old. "But alas...Snabes had been muttering a blasted countercurse to try and save you...that and Miss meddling Ghadjer, too."
"Snabes was...trying to...save me?"
"Why sure," Querkle said in tones that chilled Henry's bones. "Why else do you think she wanted to referee your next Duel? Snabes hates sports but...she thought if she was up there I wouldn't try and do it again. But honestly I couldn't have anyway with Simbledore in the stands. She barely knows the rules! Calling fouls left and right! Made her very unpopular and what a waste...because I'm going to kill you tonight anyway."
With a snap of her fingers enchanted ropes sprung from the stone ground and wrapped around Henry's ankles and wrists. He struggled, he wrenched, but he was bound tight.
"Honestly, Puffer you're far too curious and nosy to stay alive, really," Querkle said whilst rolling her eyes. "Scurrying around the school like a rat. You were this close to seeing me surveying the three headed beast guarding the Elixir. Luckily Spooky Day is the perfect time for hapless zombies looking for a bit of easy work on their one day out of the graveyard. I only had to cursify a pretty stupid one and told him to go around plunging all of the toilets…" she laughed maniacally. "Seeing you three must have startled him so bad! Did he flail around and bash things? They spook easily!"
"The zombie was...innocent and...you let it in?"
"Honestly, Puffer, knock off the stuttering and stammer and use your brain for a bit more until I shut it off for good," Querkle rolled her eyes again nastily. It reminded him of a fully grown Kimmi Slymer. "What can I say? I'm good with zombies," she shrugged in eerily jovialness. "You must have seen the one back there in chamber three? Convinced that one all he had to do was stay down here until Winterfest. HA! What a chump. But back to the one in the bathroom...I couldn't believe you were about to foil me! But I had a stroke of luck because everyone else was running around and looking for it while the students were supposed to be in their towers. Snabes, on the other hand, was already suspicious of me. She went straight up to the third floor to cut me off. I guess one thing I have true from my Quivering Querkle cover is bad luck...the zombie didn't accidentally bash your head in and the dog couldn't even bite off Snabes' leg like I had hoped!"
"Now...just stand by while I work this mirror."
Henry looked over and saw that the chamber was empty except for him, Querkle, and...Simbledore's Edóm Mirror! That's where she had moved it to! Querkle was mumbling to herself and an eerie whisper was mumbling...back? Reality came crashing down on top of him. It had been Querkle that sold Hagish the dragon egg. How is she able to have two voices? Maybe...Henry's only hope would be to keep her talking so he could buy more time for her to not figure out how to use the mirror. Now that she didn't have to pretend, she seemed like a bit of a talker.
"I...I saw you and Snabes in the forest!" He blurted out.
"Oh yes," Querkle said idly as she still inspected and preened the mirror's ornate frame. She walked around the back of it to see if the answer was there. "Snabes was on to me from the very get go. Tried to even frighten me...well...my fake persona. No one can frighten the real me. I've got the Watcher and Mormobius on my side…" Henry felt as if his limbs had turned to stone in fear.
Querkle came back around to the front of the mirror. Henry could see her face in the reflection of the glass. He watched her hungry eyes gaze up, down, and all around at her reflection. Maybe she saw something different that Henry couldn't?
"I can see it...I want it...I need to present it to you, My Lord," Querkle whispered. The terrifying and almost inhuman rasp whispered back. It was too low to make out. Henry had to try again! He struggled against his binds. He had to take Querkle's attention from the mirror!
"But...Snabes always seemed to hate me and my friends!"
"Oh trust me...she does," Querkle said in that strange casual way that should be reserved for old friends catching up. "She went to school with your father, did you know that? They hated each other. But you...no...he never wanted you actually dead."
"But...you were sobbing that one night...I thought Snabes was threatening you!"
For the first time, Querkle looked like her "normal" self in that she looked a bit timid and frightful. Slowly, she closed her eyes and exhaled deeply through her nostrils.
"There are times," she began slowly, "I find it hard to follow my master's instructions. Lord Mormobius is a great wizard...greater than great and I'm...weak...at times."
"Mormobius was in the classroom with you!" Henry exclaimed. His voice bounced off of the chamber wall and amplified it. It seemed like minutes for the echo to die down.
"He is," Querkle was still looking at Henry through her reflection in the mirror. Her actual back was turned to him, "always with me...wherever I go," she finished quietly. "I met...I met him when I traveled around the world for my studies. I was such a naive and timid girl, then. Everything was black and white for me. Good and evil. Right or wrong. Lord Mormobius showed me how very wrong I was. There is no good or evil...there is only power. It's how you use it. And those too weak to seek it and then," she sighed, "I vowed to serve him faithfully. I dare say I have let him down many times. He...has had to be very hard on me." Henry watched in discomfort as she rubbed her belly again. She jolted from a sudden chill. "He doesn't forgive easily. Especially mistakes. When I failed to get the Elixir from Bingpott's he was...very unhappy. He...punished me by...deciding to always be with me...keep a closer watch on me…"
Querkle's voice faded away. Henry tried to remember that day in Caster's Alley. Querkle had been there! In Waylon's Haunt! She shook Henry's hand! Lowly, Henry could hear Querkle swear. Maybe his pestering her was working. Maybe she was having second thoughts! Maybe he could change her mind!
"Is it...inside, my Master," she whispered and was back to surveying the mirror.
Henry's mind was going a million miles per hour.
"What does this mirror do? How does it work! Please, my Lord...help me!"
To Henry's horror, what once sounded raspy and too low came clear and chilling.
"Use the boy...the boy's wand...Use. The. Boy!"
"Puffer! Give me your wand!" The binds fell from Henry's limbs. Should he just make a break for it? No. He'd get cursed from behind for sure. Why couldn't Querkle use her own wand? He could lie…
"I don't...have it," he said, trying to steady his voice and keep calm.
"He lies...the boy lies…"
"Don't. Lie to us!" Querkle shouted.
Us?
"I shall ask him...he cannot refuse me…"
"My Lord, you can't! You don't have a lot of strength yet…"
"I will muster enough for...a chance like...this…"
Even though he was no longer bound, it was as if Lucifer Trap was rooting him to his spot anyway. He could not move a single inch. Terrified, Henry watched Querkle turn around to face him. Slowly, she gathered her skirts. What was going on? Up and up and up she bunched. Querkle had skinny trousers underneath her dress and when her pregnant belly was revealed Henry could have screamed.
He couldn't make a sound.
Under the taunt, stretched, and marked skin of Querkle's belly, there was a face pressing from the inside. Querkle's baby could talk...while inside? But Henry's frightened mind got some sense and as he studied it, he realized that the face, though pressed from the inside against Querkle's belly, was not a Sim. The eye sockets were sunken and...there was no nose.
"Henry Puffer…" it whispered and when the mouth moved, Querkle would wince.
This was Mormobius. All this time his enemy that murdered his parents was living inside his...Untamed Magic Professor! He tried to take a step backward but couldn't move.
"Good...you're frightened. I can see that even in my prison. And what a prison it is...mere ectoplasm and spirit is all that remains of me...I have form only when I share another's body and soul. Though...not too hard to find...always those willing to let me into their hearts and minds. And the unicorn plasma my pet seemed to always refuse to drink for me has strengthened me considerably. Once I have the Elixir of Life...I will be able to continue my quest to achieve my true self. Back on my own...now...give us the wand that is in your pocket."
He knew. At once, the feeling returned to Henry's legs and made him stumble backwards. He tried to scramble up but his body chose to immobilize again.
"Do not be foolish," the face inside the belly snarled. "You shall be smarter and save your own life. Join me or...you could always meet the same end as your parents. They died beside you...begging me for mercy…"
"I DON'T BELIEVE YOU!" Henry cried suddenly.
Querkle was slowly walking towards him. Even through the skin of her belly, Henry could tell Mormobius' face was smiling wickedly.
"What a decree. How tender! I always valued a brave heart…" he hissed. "Yes...your parents were decently brave...I killed your father first, naturally. I knew he'd put up a fight," Mormobius took an odd pause. "I thought for the teeniest of seconds to spare your mother. Letting her live without husband and child would be very acceptable to me…"
Tears were streaming down Henry's face even though he didn't want them to.
"She was trying to protect you."
A choking sob escaped Henry's lips without his permission.
"Querkle! Move your legs and Get. Me. That. Wand!"
Querkle obeyed and grabbed Henry's wrist. At once, the pain seared across Henry's scar as if someone was stabbing it with a knife. Henry had to shut his eyes to keep his head from feeling as if it would split into two. He was screaming and struggled with all of his might but Querkle wrenched the wand free with her other hand. However...Henry noticed that Querkle was screaming too.
When she fell backward with Henry's wand in her hand, the pain subsided long enough for him to be able to open his eyes a sliver and see the hand that had been holding Henry's wrist was blistering, bubbling, and disintegrating away! Querkle's shrieks were seering Henry's brain.
"Kill him then!"
And then in fury and agony, Querkle descended on Henry and tried to put her one good hand around his neck. But the pain in his head was so much he had to shut his eyes again and Querkle didn't seem like she was having an easier time. In fact, she was howling in anguish. Henry was slapping and kicking and touching everywhere. The teacher finally let go and stepped back three paces. Mormobius' face inside her looked furious.
When Henry squinted his eyes open he wanted to wrech. His professor who he had been with for many months was melting and disintegrating like a popsicle in the sun. Her flesh was falling off in angry red ribbons. Henry finally understood:
She couldn't touch his bare skin.
She was on her knees and Henry jumped to his feet. He tried to touch her everywhere and even though it made it hard for him to see because of the pain in his scar, he held on, slapped, and poked every part of Querkle's body he could until she completely melted with animalistic shrieks. Taking all of his energy, Henry fell back and on to his side. He could feel it...the darkness about to overtake him. But he fought it just in time to see:
The large belly of Querkle deflated and a terrible ghost emerged from it.
Stay. Awake.
It was heavy and too strong. Henry was about to close his eyes.
No.
The ghost was wicked. An old, frail and evil man.
Mormobius.
His features were too fuzzy in Henry's faded vision but he watched the ghost pick up Henry's wand. Henry blinked. Then the ghost was in the mirror. Henry blinked. He couldn't hold on for much longer.
"No…" he moaned in the faintest whisper.
The ghost of Mormobius had an ornate vial the size of a shoebox.
He had the Elixir.
Henry was too weak to do anything as he put the vial to his ghostly lips.
There was a flash of green.
Henry's vision faded to black.
Henry blinked. How was that possible? Were you able to blink even when you were dead? His vision was cloudy and then soon came into beautiful focus. When he opened and shut his eyes once more, the smiling face of Iris Simbledore floated in and out of view for a few seconds until she was in crystal clear picture.
"Good afternoon, Henry," she said warmly.
Henry could only stare at her until visions and memories hit him hard.
"Ma'am! The Elixir! Querkle's dead! I killed her and didn't mean to! Mormobius' spirit took my wand...used your...mirror...drank the…" Henry's strength was waning and Simbledore urgently ushered him to lie back on the Healing Wing bed.
He looked at his white linen sheets and the side table had cards and every candy you could possibly imagine. There were also flowers and stuffed animals.
"Henry, Henry...please relax," she cooed, "Madam Caduceus will shoo me away if I rile you up too much. I promised her, you know," she said so merrily Henry easily forgot she was the leader of the entire school as well as Madam Caduceus' boss.
"Tokens from friends and well wishers," Simbledore smiled as she followed his gaze. "What happened down in the dungeons between you and Professor Querkle is known to no one. So...in Harnocks fashion, everyone has found out. I believe your friends Matthew Parsley and Jaclyn were responsible for trying to disassemble a toilet seat to give you. How strange and amusing," she chuckled lightly.
"How long have I been here?"
"Three days. Jon Parsley and Esmani Ghadjer will be most pleased to see you have awoken. They have been very worried for you." Henry's heart swelled with affection for his friends at Simbledore's words.
"But ma'am the...the Elixir!"
"You are a very focused young man," she clapped her hands. "You're not easily distracted! Very well, yes! The Elixir...well...I got there in time to help you. Not to say you were not doing a fine job down there on your own. Very strong boy you are."
"So Mormobius didn't get the Elixir?"
Simboledore's eyes fell and Henry's stomach bottomed out.
"Henry he…" Simbledore didn't seem to know how to continue. "I really should have seen this coming. I knew right away when I reached Bridgeport it was a sham. I arrived just in time to find you there with the transformed ghost of Mormobius…"
"Transformed…?"
"Do you know what happens when a ghost drinks the Elixir of Life?"
"Please don't tell me he comes back to life?"
Simbledor began to laugh and Henry felt as if it was an odd time to do so.
"No, no, my boy it…" she thought. "For a normal Sim, it restarts the very life stage that they are in...for a ghost it...restarts you to the previous life stage so…" she paused and smoothed her skirts of her dress. "Mormobius was a decrepit, feeble elder ghost and now...now...he…" she bit her lip. "Is a stronger adult ghost."
"We're doomed," Henry blurted out and again, Simbledore guffawed.
"We are absolutely not, dear boy this is wonderful news!"
"You call that wonderful? What about the death and terror Mormobius will call now that he is stronger! What about Mitchell Flannel and his Elixir?"
"Oh you know my friend Mitchell?" Simbledore sounded delighted. "Mitchell and his wife have both agreed that the long life they have shared is quite enough. They have a reserve of Elixir that will get them enough time to set affairs in order and then they will go peacefully with their own free will." Henry still looked terrified. "As for Mormobius...you know...death is nothing but the next big adventure to an already amazing long day. The Elixir is not the most wonderful thing in the world but that does not change what Sims really need…"
"Sir, what will happen to The Unmention…"
"You may call him by his name, for fear in a name is fear in the thing itself."
"So he's...just an adult ghost but still...a ghost. He still needs a host to actually be powerful right?" Simbledore just grinned at Henry and that felt like his positive answer. "Well...will he try other ways of coming back? He isn't gone...he's back, isn't he?"
"He is out there, perhaps looking for another body to share...but he is not truly alive. So he truly cannot be killed. He left Querkle to die showing no mercy for followers as well as his foes. He even was to let you die as well until I intervened. Upon seeing me, he vanished in pure fright."
Henry thought that was utterly incredible.
"So...we may have lost this battle, but his return to power is still delayed and it will take someone else who is ready to fight the next losing battle. If he is delayed, and delayed, he will never return to power.
Henry nodded.
"But, ma'am? May I ask some questions, if I can?"
"You may try. I shall answer your questions unless I have a very good reason not to, in which case you will have to pardon me because I can never tell lies."
"Well...Mormobius said that he only killed my mom because she tried to stop him from killing me. But...what would make him want to kill a baby in the first place? Why me?"
Simbledore sighed very deeply.
"Henry, my boy, you are something. The first question you ask is the one I spoke of before where I cannot simply tell you. Not today, at least. In this moment right now. You will know one day when you are older. Like the mirror, put it out of your mind. It's hard to hear and I know you hate it but when you are ready...you will find out."
Henry had a feeling it would be no use to argue.
"So...why couldn't Querkle touch me?" He shuddered remembering her shrieks.
"Your mother died whilst trying to save your life. There is one thing Mormobius and his followers cannot understand. That is to love. He didn't realize that the power of love is a curious thing. Your mother's love for you left its own mark. Not a scar upon your head, no physical sign. To have been loved so deeply even though that person is now gone, will give us some amazing protection forever. It is within your very skin. Querkle, seduced by Mormobius' power was filled with hatred, greed, and ambition. She shared a soul with Mormobius, child. Mormobius cannot touch you and Querkle cannot either. It was agony to touch a person marked with something so pure and good it utterly melts the hatred away and strips the host in complete, torturous death."
Henry realized he had been crying.
"What about...the Debugging Hat. Do you know who sent it to me?"
A grin materialized upon Simbledore's lips.
"That was me! I have kept that thing in my office since your father's days here. It was his! Used it to get multiple things from the kitchen, library, and sneak around the castle all at once with his mates."
"One more thing."
"Yes?"
"Querkle said Snabes…"
"Professor Snabes, respectfully, Henry."
"Sorry yes, her...Querkle says she hates me because she hated my father. Is that true?"
"Well, they did rather detest each other. I'd akin it to you and Ms. Slymer. And then, your father did something Snabes could never forgive…"
"What did he do?" Henry thirsted to know more about his father.
"Your father saved Snabes' life."
"Really?!"
"Oh yes," Simbledore mused in a dream like state. "It's curious, the way people's minds work sometimes. Professor Snabes did not bode well to being in your father's debt. I would gather she tried so hard to protect you this year to make it up in her mind that she was then even with your father. Then she could go back to hating your father's memory in peace…"
Henry tried to understand but it felt so adult and bigger than him that his head started to throb. He decided to put that out of his mind for now.
"I have...I think one more…"
"You have had several more and I don't mind it a bit," Simbledore grinned.
"How did Mormobius get the Elixir out of the mirror? He used my wand...I know that…"
"It's another one of those questions, dear boy." Henry rolled his eyes and immediately regretted it until he heard SImbledore start to crack up at him.
"You are fiery Mr. Puffer! Say! I suggest you make a start on these candies from your friends! I, myself, am fond of Zee's Jellybeans. In my youth I was turned off to them when I was eating them by the handfuls and my cat had decided to vomit on the floor...you can imagine my horror when my mouth tasted…" she shuddered. "But...maybe just thinking of a hot, sticky toffee, hm?" She popped one in her mouth and smiled serenely. Henry didn't realize it, but he must have fallen asleep. When he opened his eyes the next time, Simbledore was gone and the sun was going down. He could hear the Healing Wing nurse bumbling around checking on other patients. She noticed Henry was awake and quickly approached his bed. Madam Caduceus was very kind but also very strict.
"You should be asleep."
"I'm resting! I'm resting! Please, ma'am just five more minutes?"
"You have some visitors that are waiting behind your curtain. They have been patient but I only alot you five minutes with them. You are much too frail yet for much more, do you understand?" Henry nodded. "Five minutes sharp," Madam Caduceus reiterated. She then peeled back the curtain and motioned with her hand to come forward.
His friends were able to round his bedside curtain. Esmani looked ready to pounce on to him for another one of her (very warm and friendly) hugs. He was secretly glad she refrained because the phantom pains of his scar still made him cringe.
"Henry I thought...the whole school was preparing if...Simbledore was so worried when she found you and thought…" In every scenario Esmani was not allowing herself to think of Henry dying.
"The whole school is talking about it and man are you ever out of the dog house! You're like, as popular as a House ghost since...you know, you could have become one," Esmani thrust her elbow hard into his ribs. "OW! But really Henry, what happened?"
The truth was stranger and more fantastic than the rumors. He told every detail leaving nothing out. Not even what he had said between Simbledore and him. Jon and Esmani were very good audience members and had the perfect reactions for each part of the tale. Gasps and shocks, tears, laughter, and even some wide, horrified eyes just to name a few.
"So...Flannel is going to die and the Elixir was drunk but…" he couldn't say.
"Simbledore said he was basically missing out on life's greatest adventure."
"Death? A great adventure. Yeah. She's nuts," Jon laughed.
"What happened with you two?"
"I went through the black fire and did what you said," Esmani smiled. "I then got to the chamber and Jon was just coming to…"
"I think I was just startled...no head injury or anything. At least...that's what Madam Cadecuas said."
"So anyway…" Esmani gave him a face like she didn't approve of the interruption. "I help Jon to his feet and we grab the two brooms from the first chamber. We fly through the Lucifer Plant and up out of the trapdoor. I don't know how you do it, Henry. I had to hold on to my broom with just my legs as I played the flute to subdue Smooches and it was tough." As Esmani took a breath, Jon intervened.
"Simbledore was actually in the Familiarly! We went to go find Magus and Simbledore was there! We barely got a couple of words in when she sent us straight to the Healing Wing and disappeared to most likely save you, mate," Jon crossed his arms. "You can kind of see how powerful she is when she's urgently doing things. Even when she transportalates it looks cool as can be! Did you know only the Headmaster can do that on school grounds?"
"I just hope she...you know...didn't mean for it to all go down this way," Esmani's eyes fell until she looked quite angry with determination, "because if any Headmaster were to put this all on a child for no reason that's just…" she couldn't finish.
"If anything," Henry gave it some thought, "maybe she just wanted to give me a shot. It's probably a given that she knows the outs and ins of Harnocks, you know? I think she probably figured we would at least try and...I doubt it was an accident. Maybe she figured I had some sort of, I don't know...a right to fight Mormobius?"
"But so young," Esmani gasped, "you could have been killed!"
Henry could only shrug with a small smile upon his face. The fact of the matter was he didn't get killed. Sure, Mormobius wasn't defeated. In fact he had won this round for sure, but Henry had done more than he would have thought possible alongside the two greatest friends in the whole Realm of Magic.
"Hey! The end-of-the-year feast is tomorrow evening and you can't miss it so heal up quicker, yeah?" Jon grinned. "Owlenmoon totally crushed us in the last Grilled Cheese Duel because of the whole...no Flipper situation but." His face fell. "It wasn't enough to defeat Ivybell so...we know that they're going to win the House Championship," he sighed, "again."
Madam Caduceus waddled in like a nervous hen.
"That's it, that's it! Children, your friend needs rest he needs, rest, now. Come, come. Out, out, out," she said firmly and used her hands to wave them off. Henry watched them go with that same feeling bubbling his chest. Adoration maybe? Admiration? Whatever you called it, he knew that these were the types of friends to keep. With that in his mind and his heart, he fell asleep and was back to normal by morning.
"Please Madam Caduceus! I'm better, honestly! I can't miss the end-of-the-year feast," Henry eyed the Healing Wing caretaker with frayed nerves. She was buzzing all around him making sure he was absolutely perfect in every way. Henry knew whatever happened down in that chamber with Mormobius was more than he probably knew but in that moment, he was just a kid that wanted to finish out his first year at Harnocks with some good food and friends. He didn't want to think about Mormbobius or the fact that he had used the Elixir of Life.
"Yes, yes, Henry, sir you will be permitted to go," she said and retucked the corners of his bed in. "Master Simbledore has requested it as such." She looked up from the foot of his bed. "You have one more vister before you are omitted, however."
Henry sat up straighter in interest.
"Oh? Really? Who is it?"
On cue, Hagish walked the slowest Henry has ever seen him move. He was looking at his feet and his face was completely long and full of sorrow. Exchanging no words, Hagish took a seat on the chair next to Henry's bed and clenched his eyes. Henry didn't interrupt his friend's thought. Finally, Hagish burst.
"It...was...all...my...FAULT, kiddo!" He began to allow his tears to fall. "I allowed this to happen! Me!" His face fell into his open palms. "If I hadn't been so dagone obsessed with dragons and would have been more responsible with the drink I wouldn't have told that blasted Querkle one fact about how to bypass my dear Smooches!" Henry watched Hagish's shoulders shake. "If anything would have happened to you I'd...I'd never forgive myself, Henry. Oh Henry! I wouldn't! I do not believe I will ever touch a pint of juice again, NO, not a sip. Ever again!"
"Hagish!" Henry cried when Hagish's ramblings of pity became unintelligible. It was jarring seeing such a being shaking with remorse and grief before Henry's eyes. His whole, short goatee was soaked with tears and he had his feathered cap in his lap with respect. "Hagish I...I think Querkle would have had it in her to have found out some other way. Some way or another," Henry realized how literal that fact actually was. "When I mean 'inside' I mean…" Henry knew he wasn't being any less awkward. "Mormobius was...inside her belly and...he'd have made her do anything to figure it all out…"
"IF YOU WOULD HAVE DIED I WOULD HAVE NEVER FORGIVEN MYSELF!" Hagish bellowed. "PLEASE don't say his name, kiddo, I can't take it that after all of this it was truly him behind the helm of all of this madness!"
"What's not saying his name going to do, Hagish?" Henry said with so much venom it nearly stopped Hagish's grieving in an instant. "I've met him! That's right! Looked him right in the eyes and even talked to him!" Hagish was shaking but meeting Henry's eyes and listening with great discomfort. "I'm using the bloody fool's name and I don't care how it offends or who it discomforts! The brute won, Hagish...through and through but he didn't win. Whatever happens, Simbledore will know what to do and for now...we can't think of what if's so…" Henry looked around his little area. "Have one...two...I don't care, ten Popkins and cheer up, please." Henry sighed as Hagish sniffed away most of his tears.
Hagish could only nod as he held out his hand and Henry poured some of the candies into the outstretched palm. "I got you a present, you reminded me," he said.
"It better not be a dragon egg," joked Henry and he was happy it earned him a weak chuckle from Hagish. It felt good to make Hagish happy again.
"I went to Simledore begging not to be sacked and she...instead did me a favor," Hagish reached behind his back. "She didn't have to but I...put out some feelers to some old school friends of your parents' and...with Simbledore's permission and access to the ledgers I made...this…"
It was a beautiful leather bound book. When Henry took it from the large hands of Hagish and opened it, he gasped in wonderment. It was a photo album. A real, wizarding photo album where the pictures were alive and would smile and wave at you. They were all pictures of his mom and dad. Some had pictures of his parents with people he did not know but he was determined to figure out in due time.
"Hagish I…" Henry couldn't continue as tears welled in his eyes.
"I knew you didn't have any and...everyone deserves to be able to remember their loved ones." Hagish was beginning to gently cry. He understood better than anyone.
That night, Henry made it down to the Grand Hall on weak legs for the end-of-the-year fest. Madame Caduceus has kept him with more of her fussing and insurance of staying one more night for more check-ups. Henry finally convinced her when he was able to walk with his eyes closed, stand on one leg, and recite the alphabet backwards. Unsurprisingly, the Grand Hall was packed and teaming with conversation and merriment. Barely anyone would know the boy with a mop full of blonde hair, broken glasses, and a plumbob shaped scar nearly lost his life right below their feet less than a week ago. It sent a shiver down Henry's spine.
He did want to wrinkle his nose, but couldn't help it as he looked at the lavish greens and Ivybell crest flags hanging on display proudly. As Henry made his way to the Alpaggard Table, students began to hush their conversations and stare. When he'd pass, the din would start back up again as Henry slid into a seat between Jon and Esmani that they had been saving for him. Esmani whispered to just ignore the more outgoing kids that were standing to get a better look at him. Maybe they did all know he almost died and were thinking he was the new Alpaggard House Ghost or something. Luckily, Simbledore arrived and took her place behind her podium. The babble and chatter ebbed until it was silent once she outstretched her arms.
"Years come and go and I am forlorn with the bitter sweet knowledge that another one here at Harnocks has passed," she began quite cheerfully. "I will not bore you or disturb your feast with ramblings and rants from this old brain here," she tapped her temple with her large, intricate wand. "All the same, I have to say that it has been quite a year! I pray that your heads are a bit heavier with the knowledge you have received from our fine staff," she gestured to the Faculty Table minus a very obvious Querkle. "The summer is ahead of you to empty them with larks and adventures until next time when we sit you down and fill them all up again!" She chuckled as well as some others in the Hall joined her.
"As I understand, the House Cup has to be awarded to really kick off this feast," she took a breath and surveyed the room and then the decor above and around her. With a wave or her wand the House Credit Containers appeared with red, green, blue, and yellow smoke in the very same spot where the Classifying Cap sorted them just a few months ago. "Alpaggard stands at fourth place with 320. Third, is Leetlefloof with 410 very good, very good. After an outstanding Grilled Cheese Duel Owlenmoon is in second with 440 credits. However our winner, standing again for another year, is Ivybell with 460 credits!"
A thunderous cacophony of noises erupted from the Ivybell table. The students were cheering, shouting, and stamping their feet. Henry could see Kimmi Slymer slamming her chalice on the table and rooting with her other hand. It was a terrible sight that made his stomach sick.
"Yes! Yes, indeed, younglings! Well done indeed!" Simbledore said. "However...I have...a change of sorts...you see recent events have got to take into account for a number of things, really…"
The room went so still you could have heard a pin needle drop. Like dominos, every Ivybell students' face fell a tiny bit as the silence grew more and more long.
"Ahem," Simbledore cleared her throat. "There are some...last minute credits to award…" Henry's heart began to pick up its pace in a very uncomfortable way. Ivybell students were harshly whispering at each other and smacking each other in the shoulders. Leetlefloof and Owlenmoon students were just as confused.
"First...to Mr. Jonathan Parsley…"
Henry watched Jon's face turn so scarlet it almost looked purple.
"That's my brother! MY brother defeated a Garspatuon charm...really brilliant…" Henry had to tune out Perry Parsley to hear what Simbledore was saying.
"...for the best game of Wizard's Don't Wake the Llama I have ever seen in the history of Harnocks. For that...I will award Alpaggard House fifty bonus credits," Alpaggard gasped and the few students who were near Jon slapped his back but...it wasn't nearly enough to get out of fourth place so…
Simbledore was still speaking.
"Second...to Miss Esmani Ghadjer…"
The Alpaggard table was now the furthest thing from quiet. Some Ivybell students were starting to get loud as well. Simebledore still boomed loud and proud at the front of the Hall.
"...for the use of practical knowledge gained in all of her classes, not just the fun magical ones. Keeping her head cool and calculating and…" Simbledore had a twinkle in her eye, "cracking a Sylvia Snabes' riddle filled potions recipe...I award Alpaggard House fifty more credits!"
Esmani burst into tears right then and there. Jon was patting her on the shoulder and her head flew down into her crossed arms so she could shyly get away from all of the attention. This was madness! They had now overtaken Leetlefloof and the fact was heard from some of the outcrys from that particular House. And still...Simbledore was continuing to speak.
"Third…" Simbledore couldn't contain her grin, "to Mr. Henry Puffer…"
"ARE YOU KIDDING ME?!" Kimmi's unmistakable voice could be heard over everyone.
The room went silent and some older Ivybell students, perhaps even their Princeps were advising Kimmi to shut it in firm, strict manners. She literally crossed her arms and pouted.
"...for bravery, courage, quick wit and thought as well as…" Henry's ears were buzzing, "fantastical broom flying skills so pristine I would have thought he had had many more years than he has on such a device I give…"
Henry's eyes flitted to Kimmi's. He couldn't help it!
"...sixty House credits to Alpaggard!"
The outcry was nearly deafening. The students that could add quickly were shouting out loud and some had pulled back to explain what had just transpired to the younger kids. Alpaggard was cheering themselves ragged with the knowledge that they now had 480 credits and miraculously overtook Ivybell for the House Cup Championship! Ivybell was booing in very poor sport and when Simbledore outstretched her hands again, Henry had figured it was a reprimand for that sort of behavior. What transpired instead was even more shocking.
Begrudgingly, the Hall fell silent once more.
"Let this be a lesson, younglings," she said with a knowing smile. "Courage isn't about blindly going into dark caves, or defeating monsters, or conquering fears." Her eyes scanned the room until they fell upon someone Henry could not see. "And courage belongs to not one person, people, or House." Simbledore exhaled serenely. "In fact, it is intelligence and responsibility that fuels one's courage," Simbledore explained. The whole Hall was on pins and needles. "Courage to stand up to enemies is one thing but...it's a very different thing to have the responsibility to fuel the courage that is to stand up to one's friends…" Henry knew just before Simbledore exclaimed, "...and to that I award Miss Taryn Goodfellow...fifty credits to Owlenmoon!"
If someone had been standing outside of the Grand Hall that evening, it would have appeared to have sounded like a freight train by the noise that erupted from each student sitting there. Many Alpaggards could barely pick their jaws up while other good natured ones stood up and clapped for the other House. Henry, Jon, and Esmani stood right on their bench and whooped and hollered for Taryn. At the Owlenmoon table, Taryn was pink and pale white all at once as Owlenmoon students hovered over her for hugs and high fives. Jack was loudly yelling "Taryn it up over here! That's right teachers and screechers that's our GIRL!"
"Look at that," Henry nudged Jon and Esmani in the ribs and they all looked at Kimmi Slymer who looked almost green in her shock and horror at the thought of the girl that she called spineless and brainless who had never so much as earned a credit to her name had single handedly won the entire House Cup!
"So it would seem" Simledore called over the applause, cheering, booing, and hollering, "we need some change of scenery," Simbledore wasn't even trying to quiet the Hall down and clapped her hands anyway.
In a blink of an eye, the green decor became sapphire blue. The silver became bronze. The huge, green, Ivybell fish crest evaporated and reappeared as a gigantic, blue Sixam owl crest took its place. Snabes was shaking Professor Flitnit's hand, bending her tall frame nearly in half to meet Flitnit's size. Her smile was forced and very unfriendly Henry noticed. Briefly, Henry locked eyes with the Potion's professor and it wasn't hard to guess that her feeling for Henry hadn't changed in spite of everything that had happened that year. Funny enough, Henry wasn't bothered by it at all. He had a standoff with the Lord Mormobius! What sort of torture could Professor Snabes pull next year that would top that?
For his friend Taryn, Henry felt pride and utter happiness. It was a different kind of happiness. A pure, unselfish, overwhelming happiness that winning Grilled Cheese Duels, Winterfest, or even knocking out a crucified zombie in the bathroom just couldn't compare. He would never forget this night for as long as he lived.
Or would it be over in just one year? Henry chewed on his thumb nail thinking about the exam results that were still to come. And when they did, to the trio's utter glee, Henry and Jon had passed with decent marks. Esmani, to no surprise, had the best grades of all the first years of any House. Taryn also scraped by. Her outstanding marks in Plantology curved her grade from her rather horrid Potions grade. Henry knew it was a fool's hope, but when he heard through the student chain of news that Kimmi Slymer also had passed, he could only grit his teeth and prepare what another year of her shenanigans would entail.
Then all at once, the students were packing, hugging, and promising to write. Trunks were full and loaded onto the trolleys. Taryn's toad was found safe and sound. It was rumored to be near Simbledore's office (wherever that was!) Reminders in vibrant yellow parchment warned students of the consequences of using magic underage and off of school grounds. Especially to the students that would be going back to their homes in the Normie Realm.
"If only they'd just forget one year to hand these out," Jack had said sadly. Matthew Parsley kissed the tip of her nose lovingly.
Hagish was there to take the students down to the boats they had come in on in September. As they boarded the Harnocks Express trolleys, the kids would laugh, chat, and gossip as they ate Zee's Jellybeans and Popkins. When the trolleys took off into the air, the lands became greener and more populated with houses and Normie towns. As if he were changing into a different person, Henry followed the other children and took off his trainer's cap and robes to replace them with jeans and a jacket. Way too soon, they were pulling into and landing upon Platform Three and One Half at Riverdancer Station.
Henry noticed it took longer to get off the Platform as opposed to getting on. There was an old guard Henry assumed was a caster. He would instruct and allow children to go into the portal in twos and threes so they didn't attract attention to the Normies that were milling around the Platforms just beyond the archway.
"I'm just going to say it! You need to come and stay for a few days this summer," Jon said to Henry. He then looked very sheepish. "You too, Esmani," he looked down. "I mean...cause' Jack does all the time. It doesn't matter that you're a girl, you know. We're...friends and all!"
"I'd love to, Jon!" Esmani grinned.
"Count me in! I need something to look forward to," Henry laughed. For the first time in a long time he thought of his home back with the Dooflys. The trio were on the Platform as people jostled them and threatened to break them apart. Jack and Matt went through the portal hand in hand as they pushed their carts and he knew Jon would have to be following soon. As people and acquaintances passed Henry, they would call:
"See you soon, Henry!"
"Bye, bud!"
"Until next September, you crazy flipping scoundrel baggin' scaliwag!" That was from Paddy O'Rourke and Henry was able to clap him on the back as he passed.
"I think your reputation has healed a bit," Jon observed.
"I'm sure the Dooflys will make quick work knocking me down a peg or two," Henry said as a joke but Jon's face fell in a protective sort of way. Henry's heart flew like it had in the Healing Wing. He had never had anyone to care enough to feel that type of way about him. Esmani was looking the same as Jon and no more words were exchanged as they were permitted to go through the archway as a trio together.
"There! There! Mom! Look! There's Jon and…"
Whinnie Parsley, Jon's sister, wasn't pointing at her brother but at...Henry.
"Henry Puffer!" She nearly shrieked. "Look! Mom! Can I go…"
"Whinnie dear, it's very rude to point. Settle yourself, please, dear."
Mrs. Parsley smiled warmly at the three of them.
"Eventful year I presume?" She said.
"Totally," Henry answered. "I want to thank you very much for the sweater and fudge, Mrs. Parsley. That was very thoughtful."
"Oh! My, my, dear, it was my pleasure," Mrs. Parsley's eyes quickly fell to Whinnie and then to Henry in genuine shock. She was very impressed with the young man's manners. That is, until she was nearly plowed into by a still fat, mean, and still angry Uncle Vincent. He eyed Henry's cart, trunk, and owl with utter disdain. Blending in with all of the normal and ordinary, Aunt Daisy and Curtis looked terrified at the very sight of Henry.
"You must be Henry's family!" Mrs. Parsley said gleefully and extended her hand. "I'm…"
"Guardians. Legally speaking," Vincent Doofly corrected and ignored the outstretched hand of the unsightly and foolish looking woman standing before him. He watched her face turn cold as she dropped her arm. Serves her right. "Move yourself, Henry. I will keep the car waiting for only ten minutes more or else I'm leaving." He walked away and Mrs. Parsley looked very alarmed. She longed to say something but sucked in her bottom lip and had to look away for some reason or another.
Henry was more interested in a few more moments with his friends.
"We will see each other in the summer," Henry confirmed. He had to.
"Until then, make it." Esmani was still staring at the spot where Henry's uncle's form had retreated. She looked exactly like Mrs. Parsley in that particular moment. "Make it...as best as you can, Henry," she pulled him into a hug as she said it. She was downright shocked that someone could be that rude and cruel to not only another adult, but to a child he was supposed to care for.
"Oh trust me, guys, I'm going to be fine," Henry said and Jon and Esmani looked at each other confused when Henry's face broke into a gleeful grin. With a thumb, Henry jabbed it over his shoulder towards where Vincent Doofly had disappeared to. "I know I'm not supposed to do magic at home but," Henry reached into his pocket and pulled out the yellow reminder parchment. It was enchanted with an untearable charm but Henry was good at hiding things, "they don't know I'm not allowed to use magic at home. I think...I think I'm going to have a lot of fun with Curtis this summer."
Jon and Esmani matched the grin Henry had been wearing and said one more good-bye. And then, the boy that did not die with the plumbob scar turned with a cart stocked with a trunk, an owl, and a magical cap towards his life with the Normie family that couldn't end his happiness much like how Mormobius couldn't end his life.