'Slughorn.' Harry said simply to begin the meeting. 'It has been a week since we last discussed him. Do you guys have any ideas on how to phrase the prophecy?'
'Can we hear the prophecy again?' Draco asked, 'I might have an idea.'
'The one with the power to vanquish the Dark Lord approaches... born to those who have thrice defied him, born as the seventh month dies... and the Dark Lord will mark him as his equal, but he will have power the Dark Lord knows not... and either must die at the hand of the other for neither can live while the other survives... the one with the power to vanquish the Dark Lord will be born as the seventh month dies...'
Harry recited, he had made sure that he had memorised it after Dumbledore told him about it.
'I think we should keep it relatively the same, just add some things that could be about Slughorn.' Draco suggested. 'I was thinking that when we reference him we could use the term snake, as a link to his Slytherin roots.'
'That's not a bad idea, but I think we need something more. Something that can point to Slughorn particularly.' Hermione added.
'What about a Spider?' Pansy suggested. 'A spider on a web, Slughorn has so many contacts I have heard people call him the spider before.'
'Yeah that's good, I like that.' Harry nodded. 'We could call him the snake with spider arms maybe?'
'That could work.' Draco agreed. 'Sitting in a web maybe? Just for another reference.'
'Great, we can work that in, but we have to try and mention the horcruxes somehow.' Harry replied, 'Can we say he has the secret to victory?'
'No I think that is too obvious.' Hermione replied. 'The prophecy is vague, what about he is holding the key to victory?' She added.
They all nodded at that, 'I also think we should make it clear that through this key, the Dark Lord will lose.' Pansy suggested. 'If it is too ambiguous he will think that either could win and he won't think it is enough to part with the memory.'
'Okay, so how about this.' Hermione said, she had been scribbling ideas down as they were speaking.
'The one with the power to vanquish the Dark Lord approaches... born to those who have thrice defied him, born as the seventh month dies... and the Dark Lord will mark him as his equal, but he will have power the Dark Lord knows not... the snake with arms like a spider, whose web stretches wide will hold the key... with all unlocked the one with the power will overcome the Dark Lord, the snake holds the key… the one with the power to vanquish the Dark Lord will be born as the seventh month dies...'
'I like it.' Draco nodded in approval. 'I think that will play to his ego nicely, and will make him think he will be the reason for your victory.'
Hermione then passed the new prophecy to Harry who read it a few times. 'Thanks. I think this will work. I will approach him after Potions tomorrow and ask to meet him that night.'
-break-
Harry was apprehensive as he approached Professor Slughorn's office. He had spoken to the Professor after Potions and asked for a meeting. When the Professor had asked what about, Harry had merely stated that it was an issue that would interest the both of them. The four had figured that if Harry kept it ambiguous then Slughorn would be more likely to agree to meet.
He had felt confident approaching the Professor, but as he was about to meet the man in his office, he was feeling a bit intimidated. This was not an avenue of his life that he was particularly skilled at and he wished that he could have had someone with him, but he knew that no one could know about what they were doing.
After knocking on the door he heard Slughorn's voice.
'Come in, come in!' Came the usual jovial tones of the Potions Professor.
'Good evening Professor.' Harry said as he entered.
The professor's office had changed significantly since the Christmas Party, while it was still spacious it was not set up for a party. Instead it was designed more like an open lounge area, with comfy sofas and a warm fire. His desk and papers were off to the side and the man was standing by a drinks tray looking at bottles of liquor. Clearly they would be sitting in the more informal area of his office.
'Ah! Good evening Mr. Potter, I was just getting out a bottle of wine. I wouldn't usually do this with a student, but we are old friends aren't we!' He laughed, as he took out a glass and poured himself one. 'Besides, your mother was one of my favourite students, brilliant she was, I always felt of her as my niece, so I suppose that makes me your Great Uncle!' He laughed a booming laugh again. 'So I suppose it is only right that I teach you the ways of good wine.'
Harry, knowing that he had to keep this man on side, agreed and said 'Thank you sir, that would be really nice. I have only tried wine a few times and it is something I would like to know more about.' He lied and sat down on a couch across from where the professor was standing.
'Excellent!' He exclaimed and poured a drink for Harry.
He sat down and spent the next 25 minutes explaining the many alcohols found in the Magical World. Elf wine compared to Goblin Mead, Fire Whiskey and other spirits compared to Giant Beers. While interesting to some extent, Harry just wanted to get onto the topic at hand, but he had been told by Draco that many negotiations and meetings of this kind usually have a few minutes of nonsense before the actual point is discussed. In many ways it is to determine the seriousness of the other party and their ability to be patient. And so patient he was, he smiled and laughed at the Professors jokes, took sips, but not too many, asked questions, but again not too many, and allowed the Professor to have his full attention.
'Now, Harry, may I call you Harry? Now that we have decided on our family relations!' He said with a wink.
'Of course Professor!' Harry replied with a smile.
'Wonderful! Then no more Professor either, it is Horace to you, my boy, Horace when we meet together like this and only Professor in front of the other students. Best to keep some sense of professionality I think, even with such a Potions prodigy as yourself.' He laughed again, pouring himself another wine.
'Horace is it then.' Harry replied and toasted the older man once he had his new glass.
'Now Harry, I believe you came here tonight with something you wished to talk about.' His demeanor changing ever so slightly from joviality to a bit more serious, but the light heartened nature of the man remained.
'Yes.' Harry began, leaning forward acting conspiratorially. Remembering the tips Draco and Pansy had given him about how to deal with the man. 'But first, can I trust you Horace? Can you keep what is said here tonight between the two of us?' His voice serious, eyes fixed on the older man. He wanted Slughorn to get wrapped up in the idea that Harry was committing some sense of espionage and intrigue.
'Of course my lad, men like us must stick together, otherwise how else would our world thrive as it does.' He said, trying to sooth Harry's worries.
Harry leant back and feigned a sigh of relief. 'That is good Horace, I am glad. It will make things much easier for us tonight.'
Harry saw the Professor smile slightly as he took a sip, clearly thinking he had the more favourable position in the conversation.
'What do you know of Prophecy Horace?' Harry asked, the group had agreed that they needed to build up to the memory. Let the man get caught up in the mystery of it all before making his intentions clear.
'An interesting branch of magic Harry. Some say it is pure fantasy, yet what we do on a daily basis as wizards would be seen as fantasy by muggles. I have met some true seers in my time and seen their predictions come to pass. However, at times, the wording can be ambiguous and dangerous when too much is placed in them. Just think on King Croesus when he spoke to the seer, the Oracle of Delphi. He believed he was assured victory, but instead it was his army and his Kingdom that was destroyed.'
'That is very interesting.' Harry agreed.
He paused as if weighing up his next move and posed another question to the man across from him.
'How much do you know about what happened at the Ministry last year?' As if trying and failing to sound nonchalant.
Harry could see the interest building in the man's face and he knew he was reeling him in.
'Oh only the rumours that have been flying around, but you know me my boy, I don't pay much attention to those things.' Harry knew he was lying, he knew this man loved rumours and was clearly happy to be getting to hear the true story about an outlandish one. 'Why do you bring it up now? You seemed very reticent about discussing it at the start of the year on the train.'
'Well I didn't know who I could trust at that point, and there were too many ears around.' Harry responded, trying to sound mysterious.
'I completely understand Harry, a wise choice.' Slughorn praised him as if he truly was a Great Uncle speaking to his favourite young nephew and protege.
'Well, the rumours are somewhat true.' Harry began, shifting in his seat and looking around quickly, as if expecting someone to come through the door.
'We are completely safe here my lad, no one will hear us.' Slughorn calmed him, but his excitement was obvious to see. This man was eager to have whatever news Harry could share.
Harry nodded and pretended to relax again. 'There was a prophecy made, about myself and Riddle.' Harry deliberately chose that name to firstly see Slughorn's reaction and also to let the man know that Harry had a lot of information at his disposal. To his credit Slughorn did not react too greatly, but Harry saw the flash of fear in his eyes at the mention of the man's ex-pupil. 'It is why we both went there that night, it is why we dueled and it is why my parents were killed. It says that I am destined to fight him, that I am the only one who can. But there is a piece missing, something I believe I will need your help with Horace.' Harry explained, getting very serious again.
'My help? What could I possibly do?' The man replied, suddenly looking anxious.
'You have already said I can trust you, and I believe you, so I shall share the prophecy with you and you can see what I mean. You will be one of only a small number of people who have heard it in its entirety.'
Harry watched the man's eyes gleam with anticipation. The anxiety still remained, but the promise of such vital and crucial information passing into his hands was overpowering.
'The one with the power to vanquish the Dark Lord approaches... born to those who have thrice defied him, born as the seventh month dies... and the Dark Lord will mark him as his equal, but he will have power the Dark Lord knows not... the snake with arms like a spider, whose web stretches wide will hold the key... with all unlocked the one with the power will overcome the Dark Lord, the snake holds the key… the one with the power to vanquish the Dark Lord will be born as the seventh month dies...'
Harry spoke slowly and made sure Slughorn heard every word, Harry treated the prophecy as if it were his biggest secret, his greatest weapon, in order to make sure Slughorn bought the lie.
'You think I am this snake/spider creature?' Slughorn asked. He had paled upon hearing the prophecy, but was interested in seeing what the boy wanted from him.
'Yes I do Horace. You are a man of great knowledge and great influence. I have made some inquiries about you and I know that you have helped many on their path for greatness, that you are a man of such influence that this Prophecy can only speak of you.' Harry said earnestly, leaning forward in his chair, eyes wide to convince.
'And what is it that you think I know? What is the key you believe the prophecy speaks of?' He said, now getting nervous. This was not what he had expected.
'I have ambitions, you know, Horace.' Harry said leaning back and changing the topic. 'Once all of this nonsense with Riddle is done. I wish to change this world, to reform it in a new way. I hope to be Minister of Magic within a decade.' He lied. 'My role as chosen one, conqueror of the Dark Lord will cement that. It is almost an inevitability. And I will remember my friends, I will remember those who supported me during these dark times, and those who don't, well...' Harry shrugged, leaving the sentence hanging. He had worked on this speech with Pansy a few times. They thought it would be important to promise the man privileges.
'That is an excellent ambition Harry, but I am still confused as to what you think I can help with.' The man said, sweat starting to accumulate on his brow.
Harry sighed and lent forward, it was time to bring it to the fore.
'What do you know of Horcruxes Horace?' Harry asked, his voice as if he was a teacher. He was trying to make it sound like he had all the answers and merely wanted to see what Horace knew on the topic.
'Horcruxes? I don't think, I haven't heard of them, I mean that word,' he bumbled, clearly his composure was lost.
Harry gave a disappointed shake of his head. 'Horace, we both know that you know what they are. And we both know that you are trying to keep it a secret. But you must tell what you know.'
It was now that Slughorn turned from anxious to angry. 'You are here on Dumbledore's request no doubt! I have already told him I know nothing! You are wasting your time Potter, now I ask you to leave!'
He had stood up and tried to intimidate Harry by shouting, and he was surprised and disappointed when Harry did not apologise and leave. Instead Harry leant back and crossed on foot on top of his knee and gestured to the sofa.
'Please sit down Horace -' Harry tried before he was interrupted.
'How dare you Potter! I am a professor and I demand you leave my office at once.'
'The Dark Lord knows the full prophecy, Horace. He believes as I do that you are the snake. He is coming for you. He will not allow you to live with that knowledge in your mind. I am trying to protect you.' Harry explained, if flattery would not work, he would turn to fear. And it seemed that fear had worked.
Slughorn went ashen, all blood leaving his usually red face and staggered into his couch. 'He is coming for me?' He asked weakly.
Harry nodded.
'But how could you possibly know that?' He asked, desperation in his voice.
'Do not think me some small silly boy Horace. I have much at my disposal, with many allies working in the shadows. I had hoped you would've been one too. Maybe you still can. Give me the memory and I will protect you, and when I defeat him. You will be free.'
Harry watched the man a while as his eyes darted too and fro and fidgeted with his robe. Eventually he walked over to a cabinet and pulled out a vial. He placed his wand against his temple and drew out a memory and placed it within.
He walked back to Harry and held it out to him. 'You will protect me?'
Harry nodded.
'You will remember this?' He asked.
'I will.' Harry said, and he would. But perhaps not in the way that Slughorn hoped.
He reached out and took the memory.
'Thank you Horace.' He said and then left the office. He made his way straight to the Room where he knew the other three would be waiting for him.
-break-
'I have it!' Harry declared as he marched into the room. The three had been working on their flame whips when he entered and turned quickly to meet him.
'Flattery or fear?' Pansy asked.
'Fear.' Harry confirmed, to which Pansy threw Draco a winning smile. The two of them had debated which would win out. Draco thought that flattery would have won out, while Pansy was sure fear would tip him over the edge.
'But flattery buttered him up nicely for a fall.' Harry said with a sarcastic laugh, his view of the Potions Master very low after the evening's conversation.
'Are you going to take it to Dumbledore now?' Hermione asked as Harry pulled out the vial to show them.
'No. I think we should look at it first. I don't know when Dumbledore will call me in for another meeting and so I figure we may as well watch it and work on what to do next.' He said firmly.
'How? We don't have a pensieve.' Pansy pointed out.
'The other room. The one full of junk. I think if we searched for one we could find one.' Harry replied.
They stepped out of their training room and after changing it into the Cabinet room, they began to search. Harry and Pansy went one way and Draco and Hermione another. They agreed that if they found anything they would call for each and if they heard no response would use the coin and send up sparks. The height of some of the stacks making the more overt ways of communicating necessary.
'Hermione, come and have a look at this.' Draco said after thirty minutes of searching. They had found nothing of too much interest in that time, and unfortunately no Pensieve, but Draco had just found an old bust with a Diadem on it. Something about it looked familiar but he couldn't place it. Plus, there was something dark coming from it. He had been around enough dark objects in his life to be able recognise that type of magic.
Hermione came over and had a look at the Diadem and was immediately drawn to it. She felt a small voice inside her head telling her to reach and put it on. She didn't know how, but she knew that if she put it on then she would be able to know everything. She would have the knowledge to help Harry, to save Draco's mum, to defeat Riddle, it was all right there, if only she put on the Diadem. She reached out for it and just as she was about to grasp it, Draco grabbed her wrist and pulled her away.
'Hermione!' He yelled as he did this.
Hermione, suddenly finding herself facing Draco, felt the thoughts receding from her mind and the desire to put on the Diadem faded.
'Are you okay?' Draco asked, worry all over his face. When she had walked over she had said nothing, and seemed in a trance.
'I, I'm fine.' She stammered out. 'That was so, strange. I felt it calling me to put it on. That if I did I would have all the answers I ever needed. That I could solve all our problems by putting it on.' She explained, the feeling now gone from her body, but the shock and fear of it remained. 'I was completely out of control of my body. That was… horrible.' She finished, almost in tears. Draco gave her a hug to help calm her down, before he spoke again.
'I think we should get the others to come here. There is something about that Diadem that is dark. I can feel the sinister nature of it when I look at it, but it is also familiar to me somehow, I just don't know why.'
Draco sent some sparks into the air while Hermione sent a message on the coin.
'Come, let's sit over here while we wait.' Draco suggested and took her by the hand. He found an abandoned couch and they sat down together. Hermione leaned into Draco's body while he placed an arm around her shoulders in comfort.
'It was scary seeing you like that.' Draco responded. 'You are always so in control, so present in all situations, but to see you so vacant, so void of any emotion or thought was terrible. I don't know what would have happened if you touched it, but I just knew that something terrible would happen.' He said, squeezing her into him.
'Thank you.' She said quietly, a small tear falling down her face. 'For stopping me.'
'I won't let anything happen to you if I can help it. Just like I know you won't let anything happen to me. You are too important to me Hermione. I only cared about two people in this world before this year, but you changed that. You have gotten under my skin Hermione and it is the best feeling in the world. I didn't care if I survived this war before, I just wanted my mother safe. I was resigned to death, but now. Now I want to live. I want to fight for a future, a future with you in it. I don't know how it happened, but I love you Hermione Granger. You amaze me everyday with your intelligence and your beauty. I want to meet your parents. I want you take me to see muggle things, I want to watch one of those tele-things you had in your mind palace. I want all of it, because I want all of you, and I know I will love it all, because I love everything about you.' His little speech was filled with passion and love. He had turned to look at Hermione as he spoke and she had stared back up into his grey eyes.
She had small tears rolling down her cheeks but a huge smile on her face.
'I love you too Draco Malfoy.' She said.
He leant forward and placed his lips on hers. She returned the gesture happily. It wasn't long, but was soft and perfect. When they broke apart they both gave goofy smiles at each other.
'I have been wanting to do that for three years now.' Draco told her with such genuine affection in his words.
Hermione smiled at him and replied. 'Really? For me it has only been the last couple of months?' She teased with a laugh. 'Three years ago? Never! I thought you were a sniveling little rat.' She joked and laughed heartily.
Draco looked away in a poor attempt to look wounded, but she could see the small smile on his face. She reached up and pulled his face back down to hers and met his lips in another kiss. This one lasting a bit longer. 'It may have been a bit earlier than a few months ago.' She admitted and they both chuckled happily.
'Hey, we were about to contact you ourselves, we...uhh, is everything alright?' Came Harry's voice as he and Pansy made their way around the aisle and into view of Draco and Hermione. Hermione and Draco were cuddled against each other on the couch. Hermione had some tears still on her face but they were both smiling.
'Everything's fine.' Hermione replied happily. 'Just had a scary moment.'
'We found something dangerous.' Draco explained as they got up off the couch. 'What is that under your arm Potter?' Draco added, his eyes finally registering the bowl shaped stone under Harry's arm.
'A Pensieve!' Harry explained happily, holding out the stone basin. 'It's a bit smaller than the one Dumbledore uses and a bit banged up, but it's definitely one of them. The runes are the same on the side.'
'What did you find that was so dangerous?' Pansy asked from Harry's side.
At Pansy's question Hermione suddenly looked a bit apprehensive and Draco looked concerned.
'I found a Diadem, it seems familiar to me somehow but I cannot place it. It has dark magic on it.' Draco explained.
'When Draco showed it to me,' Hermione began, the emotions returning, 'it called out to me. Spoke to me in my head that I could gain all knowledge in the world and it drew me in. I couldn't control my thoughts or actions, I almost grabbed it, but luckily Draco stopped me.' She finished explaining. Draco had placed his arm around her again to help her feel comforted.
Pansy and Harry both had looks of concern when they had heard Hermione retell her experience.
'Whatever the curse that is on it, it is dangerous.' Draco warned, 'So be ready for anything.' He said and then took them the short few steps over to the bust crowned by the Diadem.
They could all feel the dark magic oozing from it, Hermione more prepared for it this time, was able to hold control of her actions, but she still felt the pull to put it on. She felt Draco squeeze her hand, and it helped. It gave her something to ground herself to and she was able to stay with the group.
'Oh my goodness!' Cried Pansy. 'It can't be. It's supposed to be lost.'
'You know what this is?' Draco asked, annoyed that he could not place it.
'It's Rowena Ravenclaw's lost Diadem! How on earth did it get here and how did it get cursed?'
Draco had heard of the myth of the lost Diadem, but he was still unsure why he knew the Diadem by sight.
Both Harry and Hermione were just confused, having never heard of it before.
'What are you talking about?' Harry asked.
'Have you never heard of the lost Diadem of Rowena Ravenclaw?' Pansy asked in surprise. To which both Hermione and Harry shook their heads.
'Well, it's an old tale. Each founder of Hogwarts was not only known for creating their houses and advancing the magical world in terms of spells. But they all created or commissioned an item that would represent their houses for all time. Gryffindor got the Goblins to make him his Sword, Hufflepuff fashioned a Cup, Slytherin a Locket and Ravenclaw a Diadem. Now the Sword, as we know, is in the Headmaster's office. The Locket and the Cup have been known to be Heirlooms passed down to family members. While their whereabouts now are unknown, there is enough history on them to pinpoint various owners of the centuries. The Diadem, however, was lost not long after it was made. The story goes that Rowena's daughter grew jealous of her mother and stole the Diadem before running away, never to be seen again. But this is definitely it!'
'How do you know all this?' Hermione asked interestedly. 'And how can you be sure this is the Diadem?'
'I have been told this story as long as I can remember. I think most Pureblood children are, but my family especially wanted me to know about the History of our house. My matron would inform me of the House of Parkinson and all our exploits. We are a descendant of the Ravenclaw line, distant, but enough that we take pride in it. While Slytherin is the preferred house of my family, to be sorted into Ravenclaw is the close second. We have a copy of a painting of Rowena Ravenclaw in our house. She doesn't move or speak, but this Diadem is the exact same one in her picture.' Pansy explained.
'That's why it's familiar!' Draco said, it finally all clicking into place for him. 'It's that big frame in your waiting hall.' He pointed out, to which Pansy just nodded.
'So what should we do with it?' Harry asked. 'It's obviously important, but it shouldn't be touched if it's cursed.'
'I think we should show it to Snape.' Pansy suggested. 'He has dealt with all the other cursed artefacts this year, he should be able to figure out what is on this one.'
'We need to put it in something so that it is safe from anyone else finding it.' Hermione said, a little fear still evident in her voice.
Draco, agreeing with Hermione, found a small box nearby and levitated the Diadem into the box.
With the Diadem in a box under Draco's arm and the Pensieve under Harry's, the four ventured out of the room and back into their training Room to view the memory Slughorn had been trying to keep hidden.