Chapter 17: The Art of Persuasion

Harry was sitting on a hill that overlooked the castle, as he watched the sunset contemplating something in his mind. "Knut for thought?" someone said, as Harry turned around to see who it was. It was his girlfriend, Daphne, standing there with her hands behind her back. "Oh hey Daphne, fancy seeing you here," Harry said, patting the ground as he motioned for her to sit down next to him. She nodded and took a seat next to him as they watched the sunset. "It's beautiful isn't it? The sun setting over the castle that is," she said. "Yeah…yeah it is, a nice scenic view," Harry stated. Harry sighed, "I've been…having these thoughts lately…it's about the Half-Blood Prince's book," he said.

Daphne looks at Harry, curious to know what he wants to say motions for him to continue. "Lately this book has been driving me to the point of obsession, it's almost like…I can't live without it. I don't know why, but it has been driving some of my friends away and I don't know what to do anymore," Harry said. Daphne was silent until she sighed, "Harry, that is something I can't help you out with. Sure you might be a professional when it comes to Potions using that book and it hasn't done any harm to you or anyone else you know. But if it drives your friends away to the point where you really can't live without the book, then it isn't worth keeping. Look what I'm trying to say is to trust your gut and do the right thing, even if it means having to sacrifice your reputation in class," she said. "What if I can't? What if I chi-"

"Don't go there!" Daphne said abruptly, as Harry looked at her in surprise. "There is no room for doubt, will or won't that is up to you, but don't doubt yourself, do you understand me?" she asked. Harry was silent, but he nodded knowing she's right, it's up to him to figure out what he wants to do and he knows he has to do the right thing. "You're right, it's a matter of can or can't and I know what I'm choosing. I want to get rid of the book," Harry said. Daphne nodded, "That's all I need to know," she said, as the two get up. They place the book on the ground and it's a good thing Harry kept a mental copy of one of the spells, which was Sectumsempra, as he did test it out on a training dummy. The two looked at each other and knew what to do. They used a fire spell to burn away the book, as it burned to ashes. "Thank you Daphne, for giving me that little shake up I need. It really means a lot," Harry said, as she nodded. The two stare at the setting sun, as they place each other's arm around their shoulders.

The Next Day

The four were talking about how Harry got rid of the book, as they all congratulated him. Needless to say, he was kind of glad he got rid of the book, as he was rather tired of pulling on that facade of being a potions expert. "So have you got Slughorn's memory yet?" Ron asked, as Harry shook his head. "Still haven't had any luck," Harry said, until he stopped himself. "That's it, luck!" he exclaimed as he quickly rushed to the dorm, as the group looked at each other and shrugged, as they followed their friend.

At the Dorm

Harry was showing Naruto, Ron, and Hermione the vial of Felix Felicis, as it rested on the palm of his hand. Then he took a sip of the potion, as they all looked at him. "Well? how do you feel?" Hermione asked. "Excellent. Really excellent. Almost like a new man," Harry said. "Now remember. Slughorn usually eats early, takes a short walk and then returns to his office," Hermione stated. "Right. I'm going down to Hagrid's," Harry stated, as the others raised an eyebrow. "What? No, Harry - you've got to go see Slughorn. We have a plan -"

"No. I've got a good feeling about going to Hagrid's. I feel like it's the place to be tonight, know what I mean?" Harry asked, as Naruto realized what Harry meant, while the others didn't know. "Anyways, I gotta get going," Harry said as he left, not before saying hello to other people entering the dorm. Naruto sighed, "I'll go check up on him guys, wait here," he said, as they nodded. The blond followed Harry to wherever he was going.

With Harry

Harry was having the time of his life as Felix Felicis boosted his confidence making him feel really lucky. Heck when he came across Daphne who greeted him of course, he twirled her around before kissing her as he left feeling happy and lucky. She blushed, but she was ok with it as she was surprised by how bold Harry became and she loved it. As Harry was walking around, he turned around to see that Naruto was following him, "Naruto? What are you doing here?" he asked. "Making sure you don't do anything stupid," the blond stated, as he explained his reasoning as to why he was here. "Well since you are here, want to help me out with this task?" Harry offered as Naruto nodded. The two went to find Slughorn together.

The two soon found Slughorn at the greenhouse, as he was snipping a plant and taking a sprig. He soon turns around to see that Naruto and Harry were there as he jumped in fright. "Merlin's beard, you two!" he said, as he sighed in relief. "Sorry about that professor, we should've announced ourselves, but it seemed that you were really interested in that plant," Naruto said. Slughorn nodded and explained about how this plant is very valuable, even though he was studying the plant for academic reasons. "Anyways, how did you two get out of the castle at a time like this?" Slughorn asked. "Through the front doors, sir. We're off to Hagrid's, you see. He's a very dear friend and we felt like paying him a visit. So if you don't mind, we'll be going," Harry stated. As the two were about to go to Hagrid's hut, Slughorn stopped the two for a moment. "It's nearly nightfall. Surely you two realize I can't allow the both of you to roam the grounds all by yourselves," Slughorn mentioned. "Well, then by all means come along, sir," Harry said.

The three were walking to Hagrid's hut, as it was dusk outside. Slughorn insisted the two accompany him back to the castle, but they refused much to the annoyance of Slughorn. The three soon saw Hagrid was there along with his dog, Fang, as the half giant looked at the rather dead Aragog, the king of spiders. Slughorn was shocked, as this was the first time he saw an actual Acromantula. Naruto and Harry weren't phased by the Acromantula, as they encountered this giant spider along with his family during their second year and especially this year ever since something that happened in a Quidditch match known as the Forbidden Journey incident that involved a rogue dragon Naruto had to tame, Dementors, the Whomping Willow, and even the Chamber of Secrets. Anyways the three greet the half giant, who was mourning the loss of his spider friend. Hagrid greets the three and yet he couldn't stop crying.

"My god, dear man. How did you ever manage to kill it?" Slughorn asked, as both Harry and Naruto gave their professor a look of reproach given that this question was uncalled for. "Kill 'im! Me oldest friend, 'e was!" Hagrid exclaimed. Slughorn was shocked and tried apologizing, but Hagrid waved it off, as he understood. "Ah, don' worry yerself. Yer not alone. Seriously misunderstood creatures - spiders. It's the eyes, I reckon. Unnerve people," Hagrid explained. "Not to mention the pincers," Harry added, as he made a claw motion with his hand, while making clicking noises. Hagrid looks at Harry and Naruto curiously, as he wonders what the two were doing here in a time like this. "I reckon that too... How'd you two get outta the castle anyways?" Hagrid asked. Naruto explained it to him, as Hagrid nodded at the explanation.

Slughorn talks with Hagrid about how the Acromantula's venom is really rare and asks him for permission to extract some of the venom, Hagrid was reluctant at first, but soon gave Slughorn permission to do so. When that was all done, the four decided to give the dead Acromantula its last rites. Despite both Naruto and Harry having really bad memories of their time with Aragog, they said a few words out of respect as if it wasn't for him, they wouldn't have solved the mystery of the Chamber of Secrets and know the truth of what really happened. After that was over, the four along with Fang enter Hagrid's hut to cheer Hagrid up. The adults drank and sang together, while Naruto and Harry watched with slight amusement. The two even bonded by sharing stories to each other. However one story from Slughorn made Harry perk up in attention, as it was about Harry's mother. "Your mother. The day I came downstairs, the day I found the bowl empty... was the day she…" Slughorn said, as he struggled to explain even more, as it was too much for him. "I know what you want. But I can't give it to you. It will ruin me…"

Harry and Naruto looked at Slughorn, to which Harry knew he had to do something. "Do you know why I survived? The night I got this," Harry said, pointing to his scar, as Slughorn looked at him. "Because of her. Because she sacrificed herself. Because she refused to step aside. Because her love was more powerful than Voldemort," Harry explained. Slughorn requests Harry not to mention his former student's name, but Harry isn't giving up. "I'm not afraid of the name, Professor. And I'm not afraid of him. And you shouldn't be either. She didn't just die for me that night. She died for you too. She died for everyone who's ever woken in the middle of the night afraid a Death Eater waited on their doorstep," Harry said. "What Harry said is true, as I could relate. My whole life, I never knew who my parents were until I learned the truth from my godfather. Even my godfather was taken away by someone who aligned himself to Voldemort. From what I learned about my parents, they died protecting me and everyone on the night I was born by someone who was feared by many from my world," Naruto said, knowing what it's like to lose parents when they were only just a baby.

"Professor. I'm going to tell you something, something others have only guessed at. It's true. I am one of the Chosen Ones." Harry stated. Slughorn looks at the two, as Naruto nodded. "Yes it is up to us to stop Voldemort and Menma, but in order to help Harry accomplish this goal, Harry needs your memory to know the secret of what it takes to stop Voldemort. We need to know his weakness, what drives him, etc. I already know my part of the prophecy as I already have my hands tied, but I want to help my friend, someone I could consider a brother in all but blood to stop the one who took away his parents, if not people whose lives were lost to Voldemort. So please Professor, consider helping him," Naruto requested. Slughorn was tearing up, as he struggled to do what was necessary. "Be brave, Professor. Be brave like my mother. Otherwise you disgrace her. Otherwise she died for nothing. Otherwise, the bowl remains empty forever," Harry said, hitting the nail on the coffin.

Soon Slughorn decided to do as asked, pulling out his wand, ready to give up this memory. "Don't think too badly of me once you've seen it. You don't know what he was like... even then," Slughorn said, as both Harry and Naruto nodded. Slughorn fishes out a tiny vial - the one with the worm, but his hand is shaking so violently. Naruto helps the Professor out, as Harry has to take it. Slowly, Slughorn raises his wand, touches it to his temple and withdraws a long, silver thread. Harry extends the vial and it drops within. "Thank you, Professor. It really means a lot," Harry said gratefully, as he and Naruto comforted Slughorn.

The two soon walked back to the castle and as they walked, they talked about something. "Naruto…what you said…about us being brothers in all but blood, is it true?" Harry asked. Naruto nodded, "Yeah…throughout the years I spent in this world, I began to see you more than as just a friend. I saw you as a brother, someone I could relate with when it comes to many things. Even with our differences, I still consider you as a brother and I have no intention of ever reconsidering that notion," the blond stated. Harry nodded, "That's all I need to know, but yeah you're my brother and nothing will ever change that idea." The two fist bumped, before heading their separate ways, as Naruto was heading back to the dorm, while Harry was going to Dumbledore's office with Slughorn's memory.