Hey everyone,
HAPPY NEW YEAR! I really hope you enjoyed this story as well as all of my other works. I definitely know I enjoyed the year as well as all the stories that we managed to finish; Keyblade's Light, A Divine Hogwarts, A New Era, A Thief At Heart, Coopers & Wizards, Dangerous Threats, True Family and Venquine Mates.
Eight wonderful stories finished, an amazing year done with, a whole new story – The Moving of the Light – started anew and of course the chance of many challenges and previews that can be changed into actual stories. Yes, 2016 has been quite amazing and I really hope this chapter will make for a worthy end to the year.
HAPPY NEW YEAR,
Venquine1990
Sirius' POV
"Peter, what happened to your finger?" I ask as soon as we all get back together in the circle of the gorgeous room, Remy and I having spent the time Lupin and the Weasleys as well as Lindilwen and Lady Valivial needed for their business to just be together and enjoy each other's company and the younger boy answers:
"I had to do it. You will understand, Sirius, I promise." And while I know that Peter often pushes his own troubles at home to the back for Remy, Jaurion and me, do I still really worry for the poor little guy and the fact that he actually purposely cut off his own finger has me greatly worried before Remus whispers: "Could it be?"
And this makes me look at the confused, but contemplative look on his face and Peter locks eyes with him before he nods and says: "Please Remus, just leave it. I know what I'm doing." And the serious tone of his voice makes me again look at Remus, yet the brown haired boy says: "We're here for you, Peter. Remember that."
And our youngest friend nods with a grateful warm smile, while I just look between him and Peter with confusion and worry and then Hermione asks: "Wait, what finger did you cut off?" And Peter calmly, but not hatefully asks: "Which one do you think?" And the girl gasps with her eyes wide as if she gets his unspoken hint.
Yet I don't and while I wonder if it's my concern for my friend that is keeping me from figuring out this mystery does Remus pull me close and whisper: "Peter is with Hari now. In the book that is. Just think about it, but don't speak of it. Peter figured it out before we did and he gets that like everything, this has its time and place."
And while this calms me down, do I then look back at the boy's hand, the burned skin hiding nerves and blood vessels and making me feel slightly nauseous and I think: "Who in the book is missing a finger? I haven't heard of anyone sounding like Worm –." And instantly I get what Peter and Remus did and think: "But – but why?"
Hari's POV
I really don't like it that, for some reason, this whole reading of my personal point of view seems to tire me out, yet at the same time I don't really feel as if the emotional turmoil I should feel over my loved ones finding out about my personal secrets is the reason I feel this fatigued so often, yet I can't think of what else could cause it.
Yet, thanks to Snuffles and his presence do I not care too much and the embarrassment I'm sure I would have felt had I been a few years younger isn't present as instead I just feel like smiling at how happy Snuffles seems to feel with the fact that I feel comfortable enough to fall asleep when near him or while in his lap.
The man had also explained me about the bits I had missed and this makes me know what is coming next, so once gran has come back and once Sirius, Remus and Peter had their little problem solved, do I say: "Grandma, you're better off reading next. I think the chapter will make you feel really proud." And the woman smiles at me.
"She was a Slytherin herself, yet she loves that dad got in Gryffindor. If anyone can understand why I fought with the Sorting Hat like I did, it's her. I just hope the others won't respond like I think they will. They probably won't seeing the scars the war left on them." And this makes me feel relieved as gran starts to read.
The Sorting …to cross.
"You actually remind me of her, grandma." I then say and the woman smiles at me as she asks: "Do I, sweetling?" And dad says: "Yeah, you're just the more approachable. I don't want to disappoint her any more than I do you, but you're easier to go to when I feel I need help." And I nod in agreement with him as gran reads on.
"The firs' … about nervously.
"And it's time for the annual start of the term speech. You know, I actually had to sneak in on one of her speeches a few years after she did my own, because these two just kept on distracting me." Remus snickers and dad and Sirius both retort: "Hey, we were excited!" Making all of us laugh at them before gran continues reading.
"Welcome to … within Hogwarts.
"I was so glad that I got to prove her wrong in that regard." Sirius then says and Snuffles nods as he still has me leaning close against him before I myself sigh and say: "To be honest, some of my House were definitely like you guys, but there were also others that definitely reminded me of the Dursleys at times."
Yet this seems to shock a few of those around me and Peter asks: "There were actually people who treated you as badly as the Dursleys?" And I nod before he asks: "Why would they want to do that?" And I shrug as I tell the young lad: "They had expectations and I failed them." And while he looks at me shocked, does gran read on.
You will … common room.
"And if you have family in other Houses, you might as well just forget about them. Or at least I tried to when Reg came into Slytherin." Sirius moans and Hermione, Ron and I share a look before I ask: "Would it help if I tell you that, when it came down to it in the end, he made the right decision?" And the teen smiles at me as Snuffles asks:
"What do you mean?" And while I notice both Severus and Lucius look at me in great concern, do I say: "I know you thought that he had, in the end, just gotten cold feet, wanted out and got killed for it, but in truth he died trying to do the right thing. We found out just last year." And while this confuses my godfather, do I read on.
"The four … house points.
"And some teachers will usually take points for no good reason." The twins suddenly chorus, but I stop them from glaring at Severus as the lad is still unknown about his role as teacher and say: "Trust me, there are teachers who can do much worse with point loss than that." And while the two look confused, does gran read on.
At the … was joking."
"I really don't know why I took anything you said seriously back then." Ron then tells his twin brothers and the two smile guiltily as they say: "Neither do we, brother dearest." Yet before Mrs. Weasley can rant at them, do I say: "Nice payback, mate." And my best friend smiles at me with a wink as my gran reads on.
Harry's heart … wig blue.
"What'd you do that for?" Collin asks, actually suddenly reminding me that he is in the room as well and I grumble as I really don't like thinking back on that event after the stuff that happened in my fifth and I growl: "He pulled a stunt similar to Fudge and Umbridge." And the younger lad looks shocked at this as gran reads on.
He kept … second chance —"
"Can we be honest with you, Harry?" One of the twins suddenly asks and when I nod, does the other say: "We just want to say that we think you were way too much like the Fat Friar in regards to the student body as a whole over the years." Which shocks me and Lucius asks: "And your reason for believing that?"
And the two turn stern to the levels of Madam Pince and Professor McGonagall as they say: "Because even we would have trouble forgiving people if they called us liars on those who killed our brother or other family members. We would never do so and neither would Harry – and yet they still believed that about him for a whole year."
"How could anyone believe that another person would lie about something as personal and painful as the murderer of a loved one?" Lindilwen asks in utter shock and the twins say: "Trust me, if people high enough in power start saying stuff like that, anyone would believe it." And while this shocks my mum, does my gran read on.
"My dear … you know."
"I sometimes wished I was in Hufflepuff, really. Except for in fifth, no offense, Cedric." I tell the revived lad and he asks: "Why did you like my House over your own?" And I sigh as I say: "Because Professor Sprout was the only one who never met my parents and so didn't have any expectations for me to live up to."
"But isn't it nice to live up to people's expectations?" Peter asks and I answer: "Not if those expectations concern you having N.E.W.T. level experience in Transfigurations or Charms – when you are only in first year." And this shocks both the boy in question as well as both of my parents before my gran reads on.
"Move along … the heavens.
"You know, this room actually has a more or less similar function. Would you like me to activate it?" Grandpa then suddenly asks and we all nod in great excitement, making the man laugh before he walks over to the closest wall and presses his hand against it. And as he does, can I almost sense his magic leaving his body.
Instantly we all look up at the ceiling in great excitement, yet instead of just the ceiling opening up, does the entire room seem to disappear, making it look as if the circle we are sitting in is floating on clouds and allowing us to see the entire kingdom from every single angle, causing us all to look around in amazement.
I then see grandpa smirking widely as he walks back, his feet touching nothing but air as far as the eye can see and then, to all of our shock does he actually trip and fall over something. The sight of him then falling on air instantly takes our shock away and we all burst out laughing as the man turns red and rejoins us before gran reads on.
Harry quickly … to sing:
And instantly I see both dad and grandpa sit up straighter with excited smiles on their faces, but then gran smirks at them and says: "No." making them both moan and grandma says: "I told you boys time and time again, I do not sing in public." To which I think: "She may not, but – maybe I can." And with a spurt of courage, do I ask:
"Can I, grandma?" And just like dad and grandpa did earlier, do Ron and Neville now instantly sit up straight with excitement and Neville says: "Great idea, Harry. Please Your Grace, let him sing." And the woman looks at him with kind curiosity to which he says: "We love his singing voice." To which she laughs and hands me the book.
Yet as she does, do I look down at the text and suddenly a wave of nostalgia hit me, one that apparently didn't hit me when I read the first chapter because I had been too shocked with the existence of the books and later concerned with relying the truth about their deaths to my parents. I then take a deep breath and start to sing.
"Oh, you … Thinking Cap!"
And with that do I stop singing, trying my hardest to keep tears at bay as I think: "Those were the times. So much easier. So much simpler. Maybe never truly safe, but – much more peaceful than I have felt in a long while." Yet I don't let these thoughts show on my face as I just give the book back to my grandmother.
The woman herself looks absolutely radiant with her pride and then grandpa says: "It sounds as if you have been training your personal talent for some time now, sonny boy." And I smile at him as I say: "My singing voice and my flying have, for a long while, been the only things I thought I was actually good at, to be honest."
"You're a good flyer, are you?" Dad asks excitedly and I nod at him, but then a single tear escapes me and he asks: "What's wrong?" And I take a deep breath as I say: "I – I just lost a lot in the last year. I – I lost my broom, my photobook, my – just a – a lot of things in a single night and – and I guess it still hurts even now."
The younger teen nods, yet then suddenly a knock is heard on the invisible door and we all look up as, behind what looks like a large, thick set of clouds, an elf appears and says: "Your Majesty, sorry for the interruption, but I have an urgent report I need to report to you." And grandpa nods as the man comes closer and says:
"Upon the evening of your return to this world, Your Majesty, one of our Earth Elves was hit with a strange burst of inspiration that made him venture deep into the Broom-building woods and he took wood from one of the most unusual trees. I came to inform you that this Elf has just finished his design and wishes to show it off."
"We would be most interested. Is the Elf here, Marlond?" And the Elf nods as he says: "You can come in, Erlond." And upon the Elf entering with broom in hand, do I feel my heart stopping in utter shock, while most of my friends gasp in shock and Ron even whispers: "Bloody hell." Making Erlond stop in confused concern.
"Is there a problem?" Grandpa asks and this time I am unable to keep my tears in check as I whisper: "Please." The Elf instantly looking at me as I whisper: "Please, give it here. Let me see it." And the Elf looks at grandpa, who nods, before he complies and while he hands me it, does he seem to stutter and say:
"I – I know it looks roughed up and – and I really wanted to smooth out some of the twigs and whatnot, but – but something made me feel that – that it had to look this – this experienced, I guess." And instantly I recognize why as I ask: "Did – did you use any fire when making this end?" Aiming for the tail.
The Elf nods and says: "I had a Fire Elf friend of mine use small embers to create those burns. He didn't get it any more than I did as it made it look as if – well –." And while I know that I am wetting the broom with my tears, do I say: "As if a dragon tried to burn it." And the Elf nods before grandma asks: "Hari?"
And I look up as I whisper: "It's mine. It's – it's the Firebolt. The Firebolt that I lost one year ago when I was trying to leave the Dursleys for the final time. The Firebolt I had to lose because it was stuck in a broken, falling part of the vehicle I was transported by. I – I had to destroy it to make sure it didn't end up in – in their hands."
The woman looks shocked and I turn to the shocked Earth Elf as I say: "Thank you. Words cannot describe how grateful I am for you rebuilding this. Truly." And the Elf bows deep as he says: "I am honored to have been chosen to return you such a valued treasure, my prince. And may I just say that Firebolt is a wondrous name."
To which I smile and say: "It will be the name of an internationally famous broom that will be used by the official Quidditch teams of Bulgaria and Ireland in the Quidditch Finals exactly sixteen and a half years from now." And while this shocks the Elf in question, does Marlond then guide him back out of the room once again.
I then feel Snuffles holding me close and he asks: "Was this when you had to lose Hedwig as well?" And instantly I turn to him with fearful eyes, but the man smiles at me and says: "Hari, I'm worried about how much you lost, but I am not mad. You were right, such possessions should never fall into enemy hands."
This instantly takes my worry over having angered him with the loss of the broom away and I again cuddle close against his side as I turn my focus back on my broom, a gorgeous piece of woodwork that I never thought I would see again after that faithful night, only a week before my seventeenth birthday and then gran reads again.
The whole … a troll."
"Huh, I don't recall telling you such a thing." Fred says and George goes on as he says: "No, you told him he would have to face something similar to a Boggart and then said it would probably be a troll for him. At least, if I remember it right." And while the two seem to contemplate this, do I share a look with Ron as my grandma read on.
Harry smiled … she said.
"Hey, this might sound a bit painful, but – could you guys tell us stuff about those mentioned? Like, did they date any of you, did you fancy any of them, were they close with you guys, did they join in on that stuff in your fifth." Sirius suddenly asks and I smile at him as I say: "Sure, we can do that." Making him smile as gran reads on.
"Abbott, Hannah!"… the hat.
"She's a really nice girl. She was constantly coming to me back in her second because she just didn't know if she should believe what all of the rest were saying about Hari. I never really believed it and felt it my duty to keep her morals up as well." Cedric tells us and suddenly Severus shocks us as he almost snarls and asks:
"Okay seriously, was there even a single year where you guys didn't have the whole student body turned against you?" To which I shrug and say: "Third year." Making the teen groan before Lucius hugs him close and says: "At least that's something, Severus." And the other Snake nods in silent defeat as grandma reads on.
The table …to Hannah.
"Wait, is she related to that new Auror, Amelia or something?" Grandpa asks and I nod as I say: "She's Amelia's niece. Her brother even named her after her on second name base." And grandpa smiles as she says: "Amelia is really doing a good job within the Ministry. This sounds promising." To which gran reads on.
"Boot, Terry!"… joined them.
Here Neville shakes his head and says: "Terry's a good kid and a seriously amazing fighter, but he really made a big mistake when he announced how great he thought it that you had escaped Gringotts the dinner after you did so, mate." And this shocks both those from the present as well as makes me wince before gran reads on astounded.
"Brocklehurst, Mandy" … brothers catcalling.
"Mandy's a real wall-flower, though that did save her quite a few times last year when the Carrows were in one of their moods and Lavender –." Yet here Neville turns sad and lowers his head in pain, the rest of us following his example and Lupin wrapping an arm around Hermione as she sniffs in pain over her lost dorm mate.
"When – when did she die?" Mum asks after a few minutes and Neville answers: "In our final fight against Voldemort; one that took place at Hogwarts and that took fifty others their lives as well." And mum reaches for her throat in shock as she seems to remember what we told her about this before gran sniffs and reads on quietly.
"Bulstrode, Millicent" … unpleasant lot.
"Hmph, Alecto's favorite little punisher. That girl definitely continued the training she used against Hermione back in that dueling club, remember?" Neville now growls and I ask: "Did she –?" To which Luna shows me how one of her fingers is slightly crooked as she says: "Madam Pomfrey was forbidden from healing it."
And instantly grandpa shouts: "We need the Royal Water Elf this instant. And don't even think about it, young man." He then snaps at me and I get shocked as he says: "I forgot it last time, but Healing is one of the last stages a Music Elf should practice their skills on, else the ability drains their energy reserves way too much."
And I nod and a little while later the Water Elf returns to which Draco actually shocks me as he stands up and says: "Noble Water Elf, under the orders of the same monster as who is currently waging war with England, did three of the readers here get seriously abused with the school matron being forbidden from tending to them.
Please, tend to them and fix the error which I – at the time – willingly complied in causing." And while the Water Elf seems shocked that the blonde partook in this abuse, do I feel shocked at how well the boy handled this order and the Water Elf before Neville, Ginny, Luna and Collin all move over to sit with her.
She instantly opens four flasks of water and says: "Please just lay down and tell me when I reach a point where you have been hurt." And the four each take what looks like a cloud in the sky before the Elf turns to Luna first and the blonde girl shows the Elf her broken fingers, making her tut as she gets to work and gran reads on.
He was … Justin!""HUFFLEPUFF!"
"I really missed him last year." Luna says while the Water Elf now tends to some kind of wound in her side and mum asks: "Why? Didn't he go to Hogwarts?" And the girl shakes her head as she says: "The Ministry forbade him because he was Muggleborn." And while this makes mum white with shock does gran read on quietly.
Sometimes, Harry … him a Gryffindor.
"Oh, I loved working with him." Neville then says while he waits for the Elf to tend to him and the twins laugh as they say: "We can only imagine. He actually bought practically our entire stock of firework before he went to Hogwarts that year. Obviously he was planning to have a lot of fun in those dark times."
"Well, he certainly came true to those plans. I still remember how flabbergasted those stupid Death Eaters and Snatchers looked when they saw him blow up that bridge.""He blew up an actual bridge?" Mum asks and Neville says: "During the last battle. Took out a good 100 or more bastards." And he laughs before he says:
"That bloody pyromaniac. He was a nightmare to work with the first few years – granted I wasn't much better with my shyness – but he definitely came true to his growing reputation when it truly mattered. A year and dorm mate to be proud of. I sure am going to miss him." Which makes me smile and say:
"Then I guess it's easy to say who will be your Destined rebirth, huh Neville?" And the boy looks at me shocked before he laughs and says: "Heh, what do you know. I guess you're right there, Harry mate." And I smile at him as the Water Elf stops tending to Luna and moves over to tend to him while gran continues her reading.
"Granger, Hermione!"… Ron groaned.
"It actually wanted to sort me in Ravenclaw, you know." The girl says and instantly the four youngest Weasleys, Neville, Luna, Collin and I all shout: "THANK MERLIN HE DIDN'T!" Making the girl eep in shock while the rest reels back in shock and then Draco says: "I second that." Making us all laugh before gran reads on.
A horrible … "MacDougal, Morag."
"I tried to get it to sort me into Hufflepuff instead of Gryffindor like it wanted to do." Neville says while the Water Elf tends to some of his scars and I laugh as I ask: "I guess you're glad that it didn't listen, aren't you?" But then the boy shocks me as he asks: "Are you kidding me? If it had, I wouldn't have had you for a dorm mate."
And instantly I look at the boy with my eyes wide with devastation as Ginny snaps: "Neville!" And the boy himself seems to realize what he said and curses as he says: "Damn, that came out wrong." Before he turns back to me and says: "I was just kidding you, mate. I just worded it wrong. I only wanted to joke back with you."
And this makes me sigh in relief, making the boy smile as he says: "I mean, seriously. If I hadn't been sorted in Gryffindor I would have shared a dorm with the one set of Hufflepuffs that just didn't know whether they supported you or called you the next Riddle. No offense, Cedric." Yet the Puff shocks me even more as he says:
"None taken, Neville. To be honest, most of my House has been calling those kids the worst generation ever sorted into our House. Heck, some of us even think they treat Hari as bad as they did, because we always made sure to punish them when they went too far. Not that that ever stopped them – or us for that matter."
"Wait, they went too far with how they treated Hari, so you punish them and that makes them treat Hari even worse? How is that fair?" Gran asks and Cedric rolls his eyes as he asks: "Why do you think we call them the worst generation ever? Susan and Hannah are the only good things that came out of that year, Housewise ,that is."
And while my grandmother looks shocked that only two good students came out of an entire year, do I then say: "You know, most of those Hufflepuffs in our year did join the Army back in Fifth year. And didn't they fight alongside us just last year." And even Neville nods at this, albeit grudgingly and gran continues reading.
Malfoy swaggered … with himself.
Yet the boy himself does not look half as happy as he did back then and he says: "Father, do me one favor. If, by any chance, a younger me still gets born, promise me you won't ever raise him to believe that serving the Dark Lord is anything other than a mental, emotional nightmare." And while Lucius nods in shock, does gran read on.
There weren't … at last —
At this Neville, who has gone to sit up in order to give the Water Elf better access to his back, says: "Anyone interested in just a quick summary of each of them?" And those of the past as my friends and I share interested looks as well, the three of us wondering how both the Patil twins as well Sally-Anne and Lily fared last year.
Neville then looks into the clouds as he says: "I really don't know what happened to Lily as she didn't even show up on the train, Parvati actually got a secret resort so she could seek shelter in Ravenclaw when necessary and Sally-Anne actually managed to escape most of her detentions and punishments by hiding herself away at school.
She was really good at that, you know. Even we sometimes didn't know where to find her. She also helped along when the other students got evicted from the school. She stayed at the other end and helped send them hide away all over the village. Worked brilliantly too." And this makes us all smile as gran reads on.
"Potter, Harry!"… He waited.
And here I take a deep breath before I say: "I – I know we've been through a lot and that we have learned a crap lot of things over the years – like never judge a book by its cover and how true that is – but well, you might not like what you are about to hear." And while this makes my friends look at me worried, does gran then read on.
"Hmm," said … be GRYFFINDOR!"
"BLESSED BE THE FOUNDERS!" My friends shout, shocking me as I had expected them to be shocked to hear this and then Ron asks: "You actually thought this would shock us? Mate, the only one who can get out of punishment and dangerous crap better than you is – well, no one!" Which makes me laugh as he says:
"And besides, both Moody was a Snake and he was bloody awesome and your grandmother was one too. And just look at how awesome she is and how brilliant her son turned out to be, regardless of the fact that he grew up in her Rivaling House." At which my grandmother smiles at him kindly for his compliment before he says:
"And finally – what the bloody hell does it matter if you were almost a snake or not? You were in Gryffindor, you were where you belonged and everything happened, because you were sorted in your destined House. The Sorting hat was wrong with its belief and you proved it so." And we all smile at the lad as gran happily reads on.
Harry heard … got Potter!"
"And we loved that fact till the day of our graduation." The two say to which their mother snaps: "What graduation? You two left before you could even do your final exams!" Yet the twins seem uncaring for this fact as they proudly chorus: "And we never looked back since." Making the woman moan as my gran reads on.
Harry sat … the ghosts.
At this most of our friends and I close our eyes in peaceful bliss and I remember the last conversation I had with him, in limbo after I had willingly taken a Killing Curse straight from Voldemort's wand. "Are you all okay?" A voice then asks and I look back up, seeing Snuffles look at me worriedly, to which I nod as gran reads on.
Harry spotted … Gryffindor table.
"You know, I don't think I ever realized how hard fifth year must have been for Dean. Wanting to believe and support me, but wanting to support his best friend and his friend's mother issues as well." I then mutter to myself and Peter asks: "Was his mother sick or something?" But I shake my head at him and Neville says:
"Seamus' mum believed the Minister and what he wrote about Hari in the Prophet, yet Seamus didn't know whether to support his mum in this or to believe Hari and that made the year really hard back then." And while I can tell that my dad and his friends take offense to hearing this, do they still nod and gran continues reading.
"Turpin, Lisa," … Ron's turn.
"You know, it was for completely the wrong reason, but I was actually really glad that Lisa didn't get the chance to come back to Hogwarts last year. After how she behaved the year before and how crazy she was in becoming a Lady of an Ancient House." And Neville both shudders and shakes his head before gran reads on.
He was … a Slytherin.
"You know, that guy wasn't the worst of them, really. Sure, he was vain and his opinion on people like Hermione and her parents just turned more and more horrid the older he got, but – when he was still that age – yeah, he was okay." Neville shrugs and Draco seems to agree with my fellow Lion as gran continues her chapter.
Professor McGonagall … all there.
"I know this is going to be a shock to hear for the others, but – who were the teachers planning to have replace Dumbledore for next year anyway?" I can't help but ask and while my dad and the others from his time do indeed look shocked at hearing this, do none of my friends seem to know the answer before gran reads on.
"Welcome," he … Potatoes, Harry?"
Here the man in question shakes his head as he says: "I really wish I just kept to that mindset and not let myself get carried away by what those in power said about him." He then turns to me and says: "Or about you. I really am sorry, Hari." And I nod as I say: "I know you are, Percy. And I'm glad you're trying to make amends."
The older teen smiles at me before he sighs and while he rubs the back of his head, does he say: "I'm glad too, though it really was wrong of Minister Scrimegeour to keep me in my position, for me to accept his offer and for me to allow my pride to keep me from doing the right thing for so long." And with that gran reads on in concern.
Harry's mouth … nearly headless?"
Here grandpa rolls his eyes and he says: "You remember how I said that I actually went to Hogwarts twice, just to keep up appearances there?" We all nod and he smiles as he says: "I discovered in my second run that Nick purposely sits with those who have older brothers – just to have this happen." And we all laugh as gran reads on.
Sir Nicholas … Slytherin ghost."
"We actually managed that?" Severus asks shocked, while dad and Sirius look almost devastated to hear this and then Draco sighs as he says: "Yes, though the methods how were sometimes – well, worthy of him instead of what our House should actually stand for." And while this makes me smile at him in pride, does gran read on.
Harry looked … Nick delicately.
"We actually tried to ask him once, you know?" Dad asks and Sirius goes on as he says "That turned out to be our hardest training session yet. He chased us up and down the Grand Staircase and even through several passageways we thought he didn't know about for the better part of – I believe it was two hours or so."
And dad nods before I smirk and proudly say: "I know how." Shocking them both and making them look at me with their mouths open and Peter asks: "He actually told you?" And I laugh as I say: "Nope, I found the victim he killed to get that blood and asked them." And while dad and Sirius still stare at me shocked, does gran read on.
When everyone … others laughed.
"How could they laugh about that? Don't they realize how lucky he was? How dangerous it was of that woman to wait that long?" Mum asks and then Ron shocks her as he says: "Of course we didn't, we were eleven. We weren't the people we are today, you know." And while the girl looks slightly chastised, does gran read on.
"What about … for ages.
"Why didn't your parents raise you? Alice and Frank, right?" Remus asks and Neville sighs as the Water Elf is now tending Ginny and some of the wounds on her lower leg before he says: "They were some of the last mental victims of the war that you guys are currently in, that's why." And the teen cringes as grandma reads on.
My Great … so happy.
"I sincerely doubt it was out of happiness over you having magic, Neville." Ginny then suddenly says and the lad nods as he says: "I realize that now. I guess it was more that she had been terrified of almost losing me just like she had lost mum and dad and she was just too glad that I survived my fall to even control herself.
You know, now that I think back on it, that was one of the last times I ever saw Great Uncle Algie again." And Ginny smiles at him as she says: "No doubt because your gran scared the seven sacred daylights out of him and ordered him never to get near you again." And we all nod in agreement with her as my own gran reads on.
And you … sallow skin.
And to my shock does the younger version instantly recognize his own description as he asks: "Wait, I'm a – a teacher?" And instantly Sirius jokingly asks: "Who was crazy enough to certify that?" To which he gets glared at by Severus and hit over the back of the head by Remus, who also snaps at him: "Sirius, really. Behave."
Yet the boy only shrugs and asks: "What? It's obvious that's what Draco meant when he said those Snakes often won the Cup through his kind of methods. Of course Sniv –." But then Snuffles shocks even me as he snarls: "Do your godson a favor and never use that name again." And Sirius looks at the man shocked as gran reads on.
It happened … Harry's forehead.
Yet while most of my friends look at me worriedly, do they then get shocked when gran drops the book with a sudden thud before she glares at the boy in question and almost hisses as she asks: "Tell me, Severus Snape, have you ever heard of the term Occlumency." Yet this instantly startles a horrible memory up in my mind.
The memory of a dream I have long since thought I had moved on from flashes before my eyes before it gets replaced with that one scene I never felt ready to forgive myself for and instantly I feel a pair of warm familiar arms encase me and hear Snuffles whisper in my ear: "Hari, I am right here. It never happened and won't anymore."
Yet the emotions I felt over that horrible event and those disgusting lessons still overwhelm me too much for me to push them back down and instead of that do I cling to the man, who then turns to Gran and says: "Not now. See if you have to deal with this later. Not now." And I see gran nod in worry before she returns to her reading.
"Ouch!" Harry … at all.
"I actually decided to see you for your father instead of your mother? Why? Why would I waste such an amazing opportunity? I finally have the chance to get back with my long lost friend in some way and I decide to waste it?" Severus asks in utter confusion and his words make me smile in silent gratitude as gran reads on.
"Who's that … Weasley twins.
This makes Mrs. Weasley glare at her sons, but then Cedric says: "You know, that was actually really unfair of Dumbledore to do, seeing as how it was the Hufflepuff Head boy of the year before then who threatened them into doing that and then backstabbed them by stealing their cloths and getting them caught to boot."
This shocks the woman and the twins mutter: "Knew it was him." Yet gran and grandpa share a worried look with each other over this and gran asks: "How long does Hogwarts have to sink for the Head boy to be such an anti-example of his own House's finest traits?" Yet grandpa doesn't seem to have an answer as gran reads on.
"I have … Madam Hooch.
A statement that instantly makes me focus back on the Firebolt still lying in my lap with loving care and the Water Elf, who has finished with my friends and come over, gasps as she sees it and asks: "Your Highness, your broom! It looks horridly tattered! Do you want me to get it fixed for you by our royal Earth Elves?"
But instantly I cling to the broom with utter desperation and shout: "NO! DON'T TOUCH IT! LEAVE IT ALONE!" And the Elf looks shocked as gran says: "This is exactly a perfect replica of the broom he lost in a horrid battle. A broom he loved enough he destroyed it just to keep it from falling in enemy's hands."
And the elf winces as she says: "My apologies, Your Highness. I had no idea." And I nod, but still cling to the broom, trying my hardest not to cry in fear of someone making me part with it and Snuffles hugs me close as he says: "It's okay, Hari. No one will take your broom. Calm down." Before gran continues reading.
"And finally … painful death."
This makes gran stop with a gasp of shock and dad asks: "What the heck is that all about? Sure, Dumbledore had often called some areas off limits when he thought he needed it to keep an eye on Voldemort and potential attacks, but – wasn't that war at least a decade ago?" And while I nod, does gran read on worriedly.
Harry laughed … at least."
"But aren't Prefects just like other students and doesn't that mean they should fall under the same protection rules?" Peter asks and Percy hits himself on the head as he says: "I really wish I thought of it like that back then, but – well, I was a little too proud of that badge of mine." And the young teen nods at him as gran reads on.
"And now … rather fixed.
"Heh, how curious." Remus says and most of us turn to him as he says: "The Headmaster started that tradition a few years ago, to keep up spirit and keep the students from giving into their fears over the war. Kind of interesting that he kept up that tradition." Yet at this I think: "Only that year." Before I listen to gran's reading.
Dumbledore gave … you trot!"
I then see that many of my friends are smiling at me in pride, though some of them also have humor mixed into their smiles and Ron says: "You know, you were really trying to undermine your own singing voice that time, mate – and failed miserably, I would like to add." And my friends laugh as they nod and I sigh and say:
"The Dursleys never had the radio on as they only played cd's of female singers and girl bands. They just thought my love for singing was another part of my freakishness. It, I think, took me the longest to stop believing in that statement of theirs." And my friends all nod in painful understanding while I sigh as gran reads on.
The Gryffindor … hanging tapestries.
"Ehm Percy, maybe taking the touristic route would have been better if your group had been a little more awake." Charlie says and the teen in question sighs as he says: "Yeah, I realize that. I just thought of how they had just seen Hogwarts from the lake and that they'd appreciate seeing some more of its grandeur."
And this gets followed by the lad rubbing the back of his neck as he says: "Then again, I wasn't exactly awake enough myself for such a thing when I was their age, so I really should have realized that it probably wouldn't work for them either." And Neville, Ron, Hermione and I smile at him before gran reads on.
They climbed … Bloody Baron?"
"Oooooooooh." Here the twins chorus with dad and Sirius as the last of them says: "Using your trump card this early is only going to make Peeves walk all over you, trust me. I saw it happen with both our Second year and Fourth year's Prefect. Both got roasted like crazy." And Percy turns red with slight shame as gran continues reading.
There was … barked Percy.
"You're just giving him more and more ammo, dude. Really. In his ears, that sentence structure makes you sound desperate instead of instructive." At this Percy leans back in his seat and asks: "Where were the prankster teachers when I needed them?" Yet to this the twins shock him as they shout: "Hey!"
And their brother looks at them as Fred says: "We were right there." And George goes on: "You just didn't want to listen to us." Yet at this I can't help but say: "Not that he would have wanted, considering you didn't even take his ambition seriously." And at this the twins cringe in guilt before gran continues reading.
Peeves stuck … squashy armchairs.
By now Neville is shaking his head with a playful smile on his now healing face and he says: "I really had nothing but bad luck when it came to the castle structure and things like Peeves back then, seriously." And we all smile at him, all of us glad that he can laugh about it and proud of who he's become as gran reads on.
Percy directed … brought up.
Yet here Bill turns to Percy and asks: "Ehm Percy, where was your Start of Term speech?" And the boy looks a little bit down as he says: "I – ehm – I actually just noticed then how tired they looked and didn't think they'd be able to listen and remember. Only, I myself forgot the next morning." And his brother smiles as gran reads on.
Too tired … my sheets."
At this Peter proves to me that he is well aware of who that rat actually is as he groans in self-hatred and lies his head in his hands while mum asks: "What is wrong with you?" And the boy answers: "Trust me, I feel seriously stupid over how that rat is behaving. How stupid it's being." Yet the girl still looks confused as gran reads on.
Harry was … at all.
"Wish I could just go ahead and forget that dream as easily as I apparently did this one." I then mutter, another shiver running through my entire body as I remember it once more before Snuffles hugs me close and says: "None of that, Pup. Those times are over and behind us. No more of that; it is long gone, lost in time."
Yet while I am this close against his form, while I have his greatest gift ever lying in my lap, while I can actually feel how much he cares for me just by how he holds me and the tone of his voice and while I know that everything he says is true and while I nod in agreement with him; do I still have trouble believing him.
Hey everyone,
This chapter was a TON OF FUN to write. I did have to check the Harry Potter wiki site a few times while Neville and the others spoke of their fellow year mates, but else I really enjoyed writing this chapter. And I also really hope that you like how I implemented the new Preventing Trouble editing method here as well.
HAPPY NEW YEAR!
Venquine1990