The door to the Hospital Wing creaked open and Harry Potter- who was already awake- clutched the wand he kept under his pillow, and searched the room for signs of an intruder.
The sign came to him at the sound of a voice speaking quietly in front of him. "Are you awake?"
His grip on his wand relaxed, and he reached forward to lower the hood of his Invisibility Cloak to reveal Ginny, who had asked for it to go search for the Kitchens.
"Well, you look pretty awake to me." She said.
Harry smiled and checked the door to the Matron's Office which remained, thankfully, shut.
"What did Madam Pomfrey say?" She asked.
"Healed my head and my back and told me to stay here just in case," Harry replied. "Did you find anything?"
Ginny nodded. "I found the Kitchens" she whispered excitedly, practically jumping with excitement.
"No way"
"Okay, full disclosure, I don't know if it's actually the Kitchens or not, but there was this portrait with Fruits on it, we've passed by it a lot, and then I went to it and asked it to open, then I tickled it, and when I reached the pear, a handle appeared on the portrait. I think I could smell some food too, but I'm not too sure on that one."
"Wow," Harry said. Of course, she hadn't described it, which meant she was either waiting for theatrical value, or she hadn't gone in. Probably the latter.
Sure enough, "I didn't go in, though. I wanted to see it with you."
That touched Harry more than he would admit to himself. They'd wanted to find the Kitchens for a month, they functioned on 6-hour sleep schedules, and she hadn't gone in because he wasn't there. Of course, Harry would have done the same, it was just who he was, but still… Having someone in your corner was very nice.
"Thanks." He said.
Ginny smiled. "No need. Think we can go now?"
"Definitely. Let me just change real quick." He said. He walked to the trunk which had the clothes he had stored. He quickly pulled them on while Ginny looked away.
"Let's go," He said when he was done. Ginny opened up the Cloak to make space for him and together, they left the Hospital Wing.
The trip there was uneventful, what with Harry and Ginny watching every corner, before taking so much as a breath. When they got to the portrait Ginny found, she said, "Okay, now, Tickle that pear"
Harry did so, and a handle suddenly shimmered visible at the side of the Portrait. Harry's eyebrows shot up in surprise but Ginny just grinned at him. "Ready, Potter?" She asked.
"You bet, Weasley." He said. He pulled the cloak off them while Ginny pushed the door open.
The first thing Harry noticed upon entering the Kitchens was how similar to the Great Hall it looked. It was an exact replica, except for the windows, and the ceiling.
The second thing was that a dozen short, poorly clothed creatures with bat-like ears and big, round eyes started gathering around the two of them. The creatures were House-elves, Harry belatedly realized.
"Hello sir, and miss" a house elf greeted them. "I is Floppy, how may we serve you two today?"
"Er…" Harry was confused about how to approach them. Ginny wasn't doing any better, hell, she was looking at them as though she had never seen any before.
"I don't know," Ginny said slowly, sharing a glance with him. "We just came here to see the place… we don't need anything."
The elves looked disappointed but most of them nodded and left to go clean around the place anyway. Floppy stayed behind and asked, "Can we make sir and miss something to eat or drink?"
Harry looked at Ginny again, "Well, I could do with a Hot Chocolate." She said.
He smiled, "Fine. One for me too."
"Right away, sit please" The elf directed them to a seat, and went through a doorway to the left of the room.
"Cool place, huh?" Ginny said.
"Yeah"
"What did Dumbledore say to you again?"
Harry sighed. She'd asked him this three times before, in hopes of hearing something she hadn't before.
"He said there might be a room in Hogwarts that has what we require, a room we can come and go into"
"Still doesn't make sense," Ginny said with a frown. "Why not just tell you outright?"
Harry shrugged and opened his mouth to say 'He's Dumbledore' but he was interrupted by a voice saying. "Excuse me, sir?"
"Yes?" Harry asked the house-elf.
"Misty was listening to the conversation between sir and miss, Misty didn't mean to sir, but she might know of this room you speak of" Misty explained.
"Go on," Harry and Ginny said eagerly.
"There is a room on the seventh floor" Misty began, just as Floppy gave them their Hot Chocolates. They thanked him and nodded at Misty to continue. "The elves call it the 'come and go room' but humans call it 'The Room of Requirement', it gives you whatever you need, sir."
That sounded like something Dumbledore would know about, a Magical room that gave a person whatever they needed. "Where is it?" Ginny asked.
"In front of the tapestry of Barnabas the Barmy, miss. To access it, you must stare at the tapestry and think really hard about what you want. Misty does not know anything else, miss." Misty finished, apologetically.
"Oh, that's okay Misty. Really. I can go search for it tomorrow. You've been a great help." Ginny said.
"Really?" Misty asked, looking from Ginny to Harry.
"Really," Harry said. Misty suddenly got teary eyed "Sir and Miss are too kind to Misty", she said and left.
"Well, that was… different" Harry said.
Ginny nodded. "At least, we know about this room of requirement now. You wanna help in the search?"
Harry just gave her a look that said 'duh' and sipped at his hot chocolate. "Oh my God, this is amazing!"
Harry and Ginny exited the Kitchens five minutes later. They'd finished their hot chocolates, and after Harry's exclaimed compliment, had spent the last five minutes watching and talking about elves. They didn't learn anything that they didn't already know except that the mark of a good elf was that he wasn't seen. That sentence had caused feelings in his chest that he refused to deal with or acknowledge.
Harry yawned, cutting off his own thoughts. By God, he was feeling so sleepy. "Can you carry me to the Dungeons, please?" Harry asked Ginny once they were on the Second Floor. "You can keep the Cloak too"
Ginny laughed softly. "Tempting, but I don't know, you might just crush little old me with that weight of yours"
Harry just gaped at her for a solid two seconds while she continued walking as though she hadn't said a word. "Ginerva Weasley, did you just call me fat?" Harry had to do all he could to not burst out laughing at the indignant look the use of her full name brought on her face.
"Just for using that name, I'll never tell you" Ginny replied in a pompous tone. She'd probably learned it from Percy.
"We'll get them someday, my sweet." They both heard. "I can feel it in my bones. We'll succeed."
They both turned to each other in horror, as they saw Argus Filch, followed by the wretched Beast named Mrs. Norris came into view. No doubt he was talking about the various punishments he would like to re-establish.
Harry and Ginny were on the Third Floor now, and Filch had just come down the stairs. While Harry was sure he could sneak past Filch, he wasn't so sure about Mrs. Norris.
So, he took Ginny's hand and led her down a different corridor. They'd never been here before, but these were different circumstances.
Harry's heart was beating fast. They weren't supposed to be in the Forbidden Corridor, Dumbledore had said that students could die. But that could just be an exaggeration, right? It would be a Dumbledore thing to do.
Just when he was calming down and breathing normally, he heard Filch's voice again. "Are you sure they went here?" His Beast meowed and Filch called "Whoever's there, show yourself. I've got you now!"
That was perhaps the worst threat Harry had ever heard, but he chose not to call back to Filch to let him know that. Ginny grabbed his hand and they both ran forward. They took a left, then a right before finally talking another left where the corridor ended with a door, and no other way.
At least we have a place to hide in, he thought.
He drew his wand and cast a silent Alohomora. The door lock softly clicked open in a barely audible voice.
Harry pulled the door open and immediately froze. He felt Ginny stiffen behind him, as she too turned her head to look at what he was seeing.
A Cerberus.
Yes, the Three-headed guardian of the gateway to Hell, Cerberus.
It was asleep now, thank God. But neither Harry nor Ginny wanted to wake it up so they quickly closed the door. He saw Ginny point her wand at the lock and use a silent Locking Spell on it.
They stayed there in silence for a long time, each hoping that Filch wouldn't come around the corner, but their hopes were in vain.
"I'll have your heads for this, children! Messing about in the Forbidden Corridor? Oh, Dumbledore would have to let me whip you now!" Filch's voice cried from around the corner.
Suddenly a door appeared to their left. Ginny ran forward and pulled it open, Harry hot on her trail. He closed it shut after entering and turned around to see a Staircase.
Like, just a staircase
It didn't lead anywhere that Harry could see, and they weren't in a room of any kind, it was just the stairs and the wall around it. He also found that the door behind him had disappeared.
Harry turned to Ginny but found that she was reading a sign. It said: The Roaming Stairs
"Gin?"
Ginny jerked a little, and Harry took off the Invisibility Cloak and stuffed it in his pocket. "What's wrong?"
Ginny shook her head. "Nothing's wrong. It's just that Fred and George told me about this. I can't believe it's real. I thought they were taking the mickey"
"Do you know what it does?" He asked her.
Ginny nodded. "It takes you wherever you want to go in the castle."
"Really?" If this was true, wandering the school at night would be much easier.
Ginny shrugged. "Can't say. I've never been here before."
"How do you tell it where you want to go?" He wondered.
"Gryffindor Common Room?" She asked no one in particular.
The upper portion of the Stairs began rumbling and Harry and Ginny could see part of the wall upstairs open up. Eventually, the rumbling stopped.
Harry looked at Ginny, she shrugged back at him. Deciding there was nothing else to do, he started climbing.
They reached the top of the stairs in silence, and if Harry's calculations were correct, then they were on the Seventh floor, quite close to the Gryffindor Common Room. He decided to put on his cloak over him and Ginny. Just in case.
Sure enough, once he opened the door, the Portrait Hole was to their left. They quickly got out and the door disappeared into the wall.
Ginny whispered the password, and with a goodnight and plans to search for the Room of Requirement tomorrow, they parted for the night.
"This is it," Ginny said.
They were standing in front of the tapestry of Barnabas the Barmy right now, behind them was a wall, which was- according to the elves- supposed to turn into a door.
"I'm gonna try doing it," Harry said.
Ginny just nodded, and Harry stared at the tapestry and thought hard ' I would like a place to sleep in' It wasn't necessarily the best thing to ask, but if it worked…
He heard a low rumbling behind him, and Ginny gasped as he turned around, his own eyebrows shot up in surprise as a part of the wall started to turn into a door.
He looked at Ginny and made his way to the door. He pushed it open with some difficulty and his jaw dropped open when he saw that the room inside was the same as his down in the Slytherin Dormitories. And those rooms were amazing, it just sucked that they didn't have much color.
"What did you ask for?"
"A place to sleep in" Harry answered. "This is my bedroom down in the Dorms. At least, it looks like my bedroom."
"Cool. Can we ask it for something else? Like a fireplace?" As Ginny finished speaking, a fireplace formed in an empty corner. "Huh. Cool."
"Can you transform this room into a place to just… hang out?" Harry asked the room. It responded by vanishing all the furniture, expanding in size, forming couches, armchairs, and a bigger fireplace.
"Oh yeah," Harry said. "This will do nicely."
Ginny looked at him quizzically. "What?"
"For your lessons. You do want to learn Wandless Magic, right?"
Ginny nodded eagerly. "Alright, well, I should warn you, it may take you two years to even learn to levitate a feather."
Ginny's jaw dropped. "Two years!? Don't get me wrong, I'm willing to work, but, two years?"
"I don't know for sure," Harry said, "but that's what Dumbledore said."
Ginny sighed. "Alright, Professor, what's lesson one?"
Harry snorted. "The next time you're casting spells, you need to get a feel for your Magic, and then try to call it forth without a wand. Tell me when you do, and we'll go from there."
"That's it?" Ginny asked skeptically.
"For now. I can only help you channel it, not access it. Even the Restricted Section didn't tell me much I didn't already know. Boring night that one was."
Ginny nodded in understanding. "Alright, I'll try"
"Hopefully you'll get it soon," Harry said.
"Yeah, I hope so too," Ginny said with a smile.
That day, Harry didn't go back to bed. Instead, he sat in front of the Mirror of Erised again. He'd been doing this a lot since Halloween, he didn't do anything, he just… sat there, watching. No one knew about this obsession of his. Not even Ginny.
"Harry?" He heard the voice of the Headmaster call his name.
He stood quickly and whipped around with wide eyes, wondering what Dumbledore was doing here.
"Ah. It is you." Dumbledore seemed… relieved?
"Were you expecting someone else, sir?"
"Actually, yes. But that doesn't concern you. What are you doing here? How did you find this mirror?" Dumbledore asked.
"I found it on Halloween," Harry said, hoping he wouldn't have to explain further.
Dumbledore seemed to understand and came to sit next to him. "What do you see in the mirror, Harry?"
"My parents."
Dumbledore nodded sadly. "You've figured out what it does by now, I suppose?"
"It shows you what you desire the most. Hence the name: Mirror of Desire"
"Your definition is correct. But the name of the mirror is the Mirror of Erised."
Harry shrugged. Frankly, he couldn't care less about what the name of the mirror was. What was Dumbledore saying anyway?
"Harry, have you come to visit this mirror every day?" Dumbledore asked.
Harry shook his head no. "Not every day. But… frequently."
Dumbledore sighed. "I'm afraid I must move this tonight."
"What? No!" Harry exclaimed.
Dumbledore smiled sadly at him. "This mirror, Harry… does not show you the truth. No Magic can call the dead back to us completely. They aren't your real parents. I'm so sorry. But it does not do to dwell on dreams and forget how to live. They wouldn't want you to."
That last bit cut Harry deeper than anything else the man had said. Mostly because he was right. He knew it before Dumbledore had said anything. His parents wouldn't want him to live like this. He'd been getting distant from everyone. Ginny had been worried about him but he just kept brushing her off. No, he definitely needed to get his shit together.
He stood up along with Dumbledore and made his way to the door. As he reached the door, he looked back and asked. "What do you see in the Mirror, sir?"
He watched as a shadow passed over Dumbledore's fave for a moment before the grandfatherly look was back. "I see myself wearing thick, woolen socks, Harry. I never get any. People always insist on giving me books."
"You see socks?" Harry asked incredulously.
Dumbledore nodded wisely. "One can never have enough socks, Harry. Remember that."
The rest of the term passed by in a blur of classes, homework, and just plain shenanigans. Harry and Ginny would still explore the castle and do their homework together for the classes they shared. He'd told her about the mirror one of these nights. She just hugged him tightly as he talked about it all. Harry knew she wouldn't understand, but he also knew that she would help him, no matter what.
Jessica had started to grow a little distant from them. Her father had been facing troubles at work, and she'd told them that she might not be able to return if they were forced to leave the country because of it. She'd left for Christmas, so if she came back, then she would stay with them, if not then…
It was Christmas day today, and the World Cup Final. But honestly Harry just felt like lying in bed. He didn't have any homework, no rooms to explore, and he was tired. The bed was so soft too.
Unfortunately, it was not to be.
His door burst open. "MERRY CHRISTMAS!"
He recognized Devon's voice and buried his face in his pillow. "Go 'way Devon" he mumbled.
"Nope," Devon said. "It's Christmas! Come on, Harry. Besides, Ginny told me to tell you to meet her in the 'Den' after you're done. I have no idea what the fuck that is, but that's what she said."
Harry was confused as to how Ginny made it to the Dungeons without getting cursed, but then he remembered that she had borrowed his cloak.
He also remembered that he had presents to give to Hagrid, Devon, Ginny, Ginny's parents, and Dumbledore.
"Fine, I'm getting up." Harry said, and went to the Bathroom. Ten minutes later, Harry came back into the room to find that Devon had kept his present down on his bed.
"Open it," Devon said.
Harry did so, and found a binder in it. "Er.. what…?"
"It's for your cards, mate. You can't just keep them in your trunk."
Harry grinned, touched by his attention. "Thanks, Dev," he said.
Devon waved away his compliment "It's alright. What else ya got?"
"I don't really know, I just got woken up by some crazy boy," Harry replied. Devon tossed a pillow at Harry, which he flicked away with a finger.
Devon sat down, grumbling about the unfairness of Wandless Magic. Harry handed him his gift, Devon smiled in thanks and tore into it. Harry had given him a broomstick repair kit, because he was on the Slytherin team as a Chaser.
"Thanks, Harry. Though I can't see myself using it too much. I don't think I'll make the team" Devon said.
Harry blinked. "You're on the team."
"The results aren't out yet," Devon pointed out. "Right?" He added.
"Where have you been, mate? Flint put out the results yesterday. You're starting Chaser."
"Yesterday?" He asked. Harry nodded. "You're messing with me"
Harry shook his head no, but before he could say anything Devon ran out of his room. A minute later, he came back with a grin and tackled him into a hug and started jumping.
"I MADE IT!!!" He cried.
Harry just laughed. Eventually he was released from the hug because Devon was going to write to his parents.
"What an odd little guy." Harry said to himself.
He shook his head and reached for a letter on his bedside table. It read:
Dear Harry,
Meet me in my Hut after Breakfast. I've got a surprise for ya and Ginny.
-Hagrid
Harry shrugged and put it aside, making a mental note to ask Ginny whether she got one. He dressed and left his room, making his way to the Room of Requirement.
Upon entering he knew that he was in the 'Den', as he and Ginny called it. It was a nice, cozy, and comfortable area, they could stay in. They frequently did their homework here now since it was fucking freezing in the clearing.
"Merry Christmas," Ginny said with a smile. She was wearing a blue jumper with a golden 'G' on the left and a small quaffle on the right. She had a small bag in her arms.
"Merry Christmas" Harry returned, with a smile of his own. "What's that you got there?" He asked, gesturing at the bag.
"Presents." She replied with a smile.
"Oh?"
Ginny nodded and pulled out a small charm bracelet, with a small snitch charm on it. It looked homemade, and Harry didn't mean that in a bad way. She handed it to him with a beet red face "It's from me." She said unnecessarily. She seemed nervous about it and Harry knew she was waiting for him to say something.
"It looks great." He said, being completely honest. "Did you make it?" He asked putting it on.
Ginny nodded. "Do you mean that? It's actually good?"
Harry nodded, and took out his trunk. He placed it on the floor and nudged it with his foot, a new trick Ginny taught him.
He pulled out a green colored scarf with Quaffles amd Snitches on it. He'd seen her eyeing it in the Owl Order Catalogues and thought that she might like it.
Ginny gasped. "I really wanted to get this, but I didn't have much spare change. Thank you so much, Harry" She hugged him tightly and released him, quickly putting on the scarf.
"Mum and Dad sent you something too." She said, pulling out a dark green sweater that looked just like Ginny's except it had a golden 'H' on the left and a Snitch on the right. "Mum makes us jumper or sweaters every year. She also told me to say thanks for everything this summer."
Harry was at a loss for words. He didn't know why, but he found his eyes tearing up suddenly, he didn't cry though. He just hugged Ginny "Thanks, Gin. And you can tell them that it's the least I could do." He said after he released her.
Ginny beamed at him and he took the sweater and put it over his t-shirt. It was a bit big, but Mrs. Weasley didn't know his size so he couldn't really complain.
"Did you get a note from Hagrid?" Ginny asked.
Harry nodded. "Yeah. He told us to meet him there after Breakfast, said he had a surprise." Breakfast had been extended to 11:00 now since there were no classes.
"Let's go, then?"
"Er… actually, I've got a few gifts for your parents."
"Oh?" Ginny asked with a smile.
He nodded and pulled out a wrapped packages. There was a book on aeroplanes for Mr. Weasley, and a gift card that let you get five albums of your choosing at Katrina's Karaoke. A shop which Mrs. Weasley liked very much, and frequently bought music CDs from.
"What is it?" She asked.
"A book on aeroplane, and a gift card at Katrina's Karaoke" he said. She could also tell him if he should change it up or something.
Ginny's eyes lit up. "Oh, Harry they're gonna love it!" She said with a grin.
"Really?" He asked.
Ginny nodded. "Trust me. You already know Dad loves aeroplanes." He and Ginny shared a grin. It was hard not to tell Mr. Weasley loved aeroplanes. Especially not after he'd spent am hour talking to Harry about them. "And I don't think you know how much Mum loves music."
"Probably not." He said. He'd never been to The Burrow. The Weasleys had invited him a lot of times, but he'd declined, wanting to stay independently for at least one summer.
"How did you get all this?" Ginny asked.
"Elves," he replied. He'd asked them to take him there but they refused so he settled for them going and checking it out.
"Do you think we should go now?"
"Just a sec," Harry said, and added a Postscript in his letter to the Weasley parents, thanking them for the sweater.
Harry nodded. "I need to go to the Kitchens after the Owlery, though." He said, making his way out of the Room of Requirement.
"Why?"
"I got Dumbledore some socks."
"Socks?"
"Not just any socks Ginny" he said, shaking his head in mock disappointment. "Thick, woollen socks."
Harry and Ginny reached Hagrid's Hut at the mentioned time. They'd decided to just have a quick breakfast in the kitchens, where Harry also thanked the elves for helping him.
Harry knocked on the door twice, and waited for it to open. He didn't have to wait long, though. Hagrid quickly opened the door. "Merry Christmas to ya both! Get in!"
"Thanks Hagrid," they said.
Hagrid's Hut was cozy as ever, but Fang had a bit of a cold, and was taking it easy this time. "I've got something for ya both" Hagrid said. "I hope you'll like it"
"Wait!" Harry and Ginny stopped him. Harry gave him a Chocolate Frog Card of Merlin because Hagrid was missing one, and Ginny gave him a Silver Dumbledore.
Hagrid gasped at seeing them and said, "No way. You're having me on"
Harry and Ginny grinned at each other "Merry Christmas, Hagrid." They were both grabbed into a long, tight hug.
"Time for my gift," Hagrid said, and left to go into his bedroom. He came back later carrying a snowy white owl on his arm.
"I found her a few days ago, she was badly injured. Fixed her up in no time. She's an independent sort, but I think you'd like her."
Ginny's eyes were wide at the sight of the owl. He could understand why. The owl was beautiful, it had amber eyes that held an intelligence far beyond that he'd seen in any other owl.
"Who's this for?" Harry asked.
"Both of ya" Hagrid replied. "Figured you could take of her together. She's a handful, this one, aren't ya, girl" He said, stroking her feathers with a finger.
"Wow. Er… what do you think, Harry?" Ginny asked.
He had no idea how one took care of an owl, but he figured Ginny might. And it would be nice to have someone who could deliver messages for them.
"I think," he began slowly, "that if you can teach me how to take care of an owl, I'm in."
"Yes!" Ginny cried. Harry chuckled as the owl flew to where they were sitting. Harry and Ginny reached out to stroke the owls feathers, and it leaned into their touch, seemingly accepting them.
"Do you have a name for it?" Harry asked Hagrid. He did, but he wanted to hear if she had anything.
Hagrid shook his head, "How about Hedwig?" Harry asked Ginny. "I read it in the History of Magic text"
"Hedwig" Ginny repeated, testing the name. She nodded slowly, and asked "What do you think, girl?"
Hedwig bobbed her head up and down and let out an affirming hoot. Harry and Ginny grinned at her.
"It's nice to meet you, Hedwig. Would you like to be our friend?" Harry asked, following Ginny's lead to talk to the owl. He found it a bit silly, but at this point, he wouldn't be surprised if Hedwig started speaking human languages. Hedwig let out a happy, affirming hoot.
Suddenly, there was an odd, rattling sound in the Kitchen cauldron. Hagrid immediately raced over there, put on some gloves, and retrieved an egg. He came to the table they were sitting on and placed it there.
Ginny gasped when she saw it. "Is that a Dragon Egg?" She whispered.
Hagrid nodded absently, too focused on the egg.
Harry, on the other hand, froze. A Dragon Egg. No, no. A DRAGON egg . Harry was fairly certain those were illegal. If nothing else, then Hagrid could certainly get into a lot of trouble.
"Does Dumbledore know?" Harry asked.
Hagrid nodded. "He knows I've got an egg. He doesn't know that you two know, though."
"But… aren't Dragons, like, dangerous?"
"Very" Hagrid said. "If you run into a wild Dragon, there's a good chance you won't ever live to see another day again. But I'm planning on raising one, it won't be nearly as dangerous if it's used to humans. Of course, it could still easily kill ya if ya anger it, but it will have a lot more restraint. Then I can get a permit from a Ministry approved Dragon Reserve, and that's that."
Harry frowned, but Ginny seemed to understand. Hell, she even seemed like she would like to have it here. If he was honest, the prospect of raising a Dragon, if Hagrid let them, was interesting. But still, it was a DRAGON!! Forgive him for having some misgivings.
Before he could say anything, the egg shell cracked, and a wing appeared. Ginny immediately grabbed his arm, and dragged him under the table. Harry had no idea what the fuck she was doing, but it had saved his last time so…
"Hagrid needs to let the baby imprint on him. It needs to see Hagrid as a parent." Ginny said.
Harry didn't know much about Dragons, so he just nodded. Besides, he wasn't ready to be a Dad to anything.
"You can come up now," They heard Hagrid say.
The Dragon turned to them, as they reared their heads. It was scaly, and had a cute little face with golden eyes with black slits in the middle. It was fully black in color, and Harry had no doubts that it would grow to be a very scary looking Dragon.
"Hi" Harry tried, using the same tactic Ginny had for Hedwig. "I'm Harry."
"I'm Ginny" Ginny said, smiling at the Dragon.
Hedwig let out a hoot and slowly flew near the Dragon. Honestly, the Dragon seemed more interested in Hedwig than in them.
The Dragom turned to Hagrid and made a sound that was a mix of a cry and a little baby's voice.
"Oh, bless him! He knows his Mummy" Hagrid said.
"Er…" Harry said, sharing a glance with Ginny. Did Hagrid just…?
Hagrid got up and left the room. The Dragon took the time to gaze at them curiously, and then made the same sound he did at Hagrid. Hagrid came back then, with a bowl and a spoon. He fed the Dragon, and it went to sleep eventually.
"Hagrid, are you really going to raise it?" Ginny asked.
Hagrid nodded. "Aye. I already got permission from your brother, Charlie, back when he was working at the reserve."
"Well, I-" Harry interrupted her by clearing his throat loudly. "Sorry. We, would like to help you"
Hagrid blanched. "I dunno-"
"Come on, Hagrid" Harry said. "You can't really expect us to just abandon it now?"
"Him" Hagrid said. "It's a him. Norbert"
"Well, then you can't expect us to abandon Norbert, can you? I mean look at him" Ginny exclaimed in a whisper.
Norbert was currently peacefully sleeping in a basket bed Hagrid had made for him. He looked so adorable that Harry just wanted to take him to his room and cuddle.
"Well, no." Hagrid finally said. "Guess I can't. But it will be dangerous. Dragon teeth are really sharp-"
"We have protective gloves. Dragonhide."
Hagrid nodded. "There's the fire."
"That doesn't happen until the Dragon is a year old." Ginny said.
"That's only six months away."
"Wait" Harry interrupted. "Six months?"
Hagrid and Ginny looked at him as though he'd gone mad. Before realization dawned on their faces. "Blimey, sometimes I forget you were raised like a Muggle." Hagrid said.
Harry frowned at them both. Ginny decided to take pity on him.
"Dragons age according to the day their egg is laid. So, Norbert is somewhere between four to six months old."
"That doesn't make sense-"
"Dragons" Hagrid spoke over him. "only lay eggs because their wombs aren't advanced enough for Magical Absorption. So they resort to an egg. They lay the egg, and the child stays in there, absorbing the Magic till it hatches in four to six months. If you break the egg before it hatches naturally, then you get a Dragon who can't access it's Magic. And Ginny, this one was laid on June 30th, so it is six months away till he breathes fire."
"And we'll be long gone by then Hagrid." Ginny assured him. "Term ends on the 18th."
Hagrid and Ginny softly argued back and forth, most of it went over Harry's head, but Ginny won in the end after ten minutes. Even Hagrid seemed excited by the prospect of having help if the hug he gave them was an indication.
"By the way, Hagrid" Ginny said, as they were out of the door to head back up to the Castle for Lunch. "What breed is Norbert?"
"Norbert's a Siberian Shadow" Hagrid said with a grin.
Harry didn't know what it was, but if Ginny's simultaneous jaw drop and smile was anything to go by, it was certainly going to be good.
Turned out, raising a Siberian Shadow was actually a good thing, from a certain point of view.
That breed of Dragon was rare. So rare, in fact, that a single egg, was priced at over 100,000 galleons. Hagrid had got it for free, from a bloke down at the Pub.
Siberian Shadows were fast Dragons. Like VERY fast. Reaching a top speed of 253 mph in the air on average. They also didn't grow to an obnoxious size, settling in at somewhere between medium to large. They were quite easy to ride due to their size.
They also breathed white fire. Not much was known about it, but... they breathed it.
So, yeah. It was amazing! At least, Harry and Ginny thought so.
The month of December passed without any other incidents except Dumbledore apologizing because they didn't get to watch the Quidditch World Cup Final. Apparently, it was quite the game, and Ireland destroyed Argentina in the Finals. ll
January, February, March, and April weren't much different. The Professors piled on homework and insisted on revision, so they had to put up with that. Though they were far more lenient on Harry and Ginny since they were the best at the Practical side of Magic.
Jessica did come back, but she was still depressed and distant. Harry, Devon, and Ginny tried helping her, but sometimes, despite her being right next to them, it was as though they were speaking to a Ghost.
Norbert had gotten bigger and bigger, and it was finally reaching the point where Hagrid's bedroom wouldn't do. Thankfully, Hagrid had been building an enclosure/home for Norbert.
Hagrid had given a lot of thought to this, he'd always wanted a Dragon, but he couldn't deny that Harry and Ginny were an invaluable asset for him. He'd broken down yesterday, because they had to give Norbert to the Dragon Handlers tonight, since he was over ten months old. They would test him for a month. If they found that Norbert had been well-trained then they would let Hagrid- and unknowingly, Harry and Ginny- keep him. If not, then Norbert would be sent to a Dragon Reserve early.
Harry and Ginny had both eventually broken down too, after Hagrid went to sleep. The reality of everything hit them both harder than it did Hagrid.
Hedwig continued to be a good owl. He carried messages to Ginny's family and back ridiculously fast, shortening the journey by about a day, sometimes two.
Harry and Ginny grew attached to Hedwig too. Harry was certain they'd each form a Familiar bond with the bird sometime in the near future, once they were older. Hagrid had said that you couldn't form one before fifteen. He'd also informed them that sometimes in rare instances, a single animal could be a Familiar to two people, provided that all three parties are okay with it.
Harry finished his shower, dried himself quickly, and pulled on his uniform. It was Wednesday today, so History was first, followed by Herbology with Hufflepuffs, then DADA, and Transfiguration.
He left his room and went to the Great Hall using the Roaming Stairs. Merlin, he loved using them.
He joined Ginny at the table they usually sat at. "Hi," he said. She looked tired, probably due to a lack of sleep. Neither of them had gone for a jog this morning either
She smiled at him. "Happy birthday, Harry," She said, with a kiss on his cheek. It was early so thankfully, Fred and George weren't here to tease him about his blush, or worse, prank him. The ones that were here just didn't care.
"So, how is being eleven? Any different from yesterday?" Ginny asked, smiling.
"Well, I didn't get a kiss from you yesterday so…" Harry trailed off, smirking as Ginny turned red this time.
"Prat" She lightly slapped him on the arm. "Here," She said, handing him a book. It was the Top 50 plays of the Hollows Hippogriffs.
Harry grinned. "Thanks. I've been looking for this one. Where'd you get it?" He said, putting it in his bag.
"Placed an order," Ginny said. Bill had still been sending her curse puzzles, which she'd solve in her free time. The last one had 50 galleons in it.
"Hey, Harry," Devon said, dropping into a seat beside him. "Happy birthday, I've left your gift in my room. I'll give it to you later." Harry noticed that he was looking very sleepy.
"Thanks, Dev. Are you feeling okay, there?"
Devon shook his head. "I stayed up revising all night. I'm worried about the exams."
"You've got a week, still." Harry said. "We can help you in the written part." Devon only sucked in theory, he was quite good at the Practical aspects of Magic. He excelled in all of them too.
They quickly ate their breakfast and separated for their classes.
History of Magic was a bore, as always. Devon usually managed to stay awake, but he was dead tired, and slept 2 minutes into Binnis' lecture.
Herbology with the Hufflepuffs had them try and contain Devil's Snare. A plant that strangled anything within its grasp. It couldn't stand sunlight or fire though, so that was easy if you knew the required Charms.
DADA was not too much of a bore this time. They revised almost everything they engaged in a friendly competition over what they covered this year, and got a lot of points for their Houses. In the end, Slytherin was in the lead overall, since Fred and George kept losing points for Gryffindor over the course of the year.
Transfiguration too, consisted simply of revision work, and finally they were let out for the day.
Harry and Ginny spent some time in their clearing, tossing rocks in the Lake before going to visit Norbert. The Handlers were coming today, and neither Harry nor Ginny wanted to let him go so quickly, so they took whatever time they got.
"Are you sure you two wanna join?" Hagrid asked them again.
"Yes" They both said again. They'd had this discussion for over a month. He'd only relented because they had an Invisibility Cloak, and promised to stick close to him.
"Alright. Fine." Hagrid said. He placed Norbert into a cage. It was Magically Expanded by Dumbledore, so it wasn't uncomfortable for Norbert.
They had to travel into the Forbidden Forest, which was why Hagrid was uncomfortable. Harry and Ginny understood his concerns but they just didn't want to stay behind. The Handlers would meet them there. It was a little deep, but it was the only place they could use their brooms without getting incinerated by the wards.
"Alright. Well put the Cloak on. And stick close to me. Please."
Harry and Ginny nodded, and compiled as Hagrid started walking.
The Forbidden Forest looked bloody scary in the night. But none of them stopped walking. Deeper and deeper they walked, their visibility getting frighteningly low, until they reached a fork in the path. Hagrid led them down the left path. They kept walking for a few more minutes. Harry eventually saw two figures sitting on a tree top. Both of them were guys in their early 30s, and a few scars on their faces.
"Hey, Hagrid." One of them greeted him.
"Hi, Shawn, Cal," Hagrid said.
The other guy, Cal reached forward, and took the cage from Hagrid. "He seems quiet. Is he sleeping?"
Hagrid nodded, and blew his nose on his handkerchief. Harry and Ginny felt like crying too. They'd just given their friend away, and who knew if or when they would see him again?
But there was nothing for it. They had to do this. So, they stood behind, holding each other tightly.
Soon, the Handlers loaded Norbert's cage on the back of their broom and left. Hagrid said. "Let's go, now."
Harry and Ginny nodded, even though Hagrid couldn't see them and followed him. They walked back a fair distance, when Ginny stopped them all. She pointed toward the trees to their left with a scared, and apprehensive expression on her face.
Following her gaze, he saw a sparkly… something, there. It seemed like liquid. He looked to Hagrid, to find his mouth dropped open in horror.
"Stay close to me, both of ya" Hagrid said. He pulled out his umbrella, and set off toward the liquid.
"What is it?" Harry asked.
"Unicorn blood. Something's been killing them" Hagrid said.
"Why would anyone do that?" Ginny asked. "You get cursed for killing a unicorn don't you?"
Hagrid shook his head. "You get cursed for willingly and intentionally drinking their blood."
"Why would someone drink the blood?" Harry asked.
"Fresh Unicorn Blood has great healing properties, Harry. You can keep yourself alive even if you are on the brink of death. But from the moment the blood touches your lips, you will live a Cursed Life. You killed something pure in order to save yourself, so a part of your soul will be destroyed as payment. And living with a scarred soul is no joke. But if someone's willing to pay the price, then they're desperate."
They travelled the rest of the way in silence. Hagrid confirmed that it was Unicorn blood, and Harry found a trail of it.
They followed it to a large clearing where they saw a large unicorn, lying on the ground with a dark cloaked figure hovering over it. Blood was dripping out of its neck, and Harry realized with a start that the Unicorn was still alive.
The figure looked up, as though sensing their presence. It started moving closer and closer to them.
Hagrid pointed his umbrella at it. "Whatever you are. Stay right there!"
The thing ignored his threat, and quickened its pace to a run. Harry and Ginny were frozen in terror, but Hagrid roaring "Stupefy!" was enough to break them out of their state.
Ginny cast Oppugno on a few nearby rocks that flew toward the figure. The figure dodged them all gracefully, and drew out a knife, heading straight for Ginny now.
Harry wasn't going to have any of that, he decided, and raised his hand. A jet of blue fire shot out of his hand and shot the creature in the face. Harry had to let go after a few seconds, but the creature's inhuman shrieks were heard throughout the forest that night.
It ran away deeper into the forest until it was practically one with the Darkness.
Harry got down on a knee to catch his breath. All the while a million questions were racing through his mind. What was that thing? Why was it drinking the Unicorn's blood? Was the Unicorn…
The Unicorn
Harry got up and ran toward the Unicorn, it was breathing ever so slightly. He looked up to see that Hagrid and Ginny had caught up with him.
"Stand back," Hagrid ordered. Harry did so, holding Ginny's hand in his own. They were both gripping each other's hands fiercely.
Hagrid poured a potion on the Unicorn's neck. It immediately stopped bleeding, and started regrowing flesh. He checked the Unicorn for any other injuries and healed those too.
The Unicorn laid down on the ground, sleeping now. "Just needs a little rest." Hagrid said, as a few more Unicorns came into view. All of them were healthy, though.
Harry and Ginny nodded and all three of them started walking back to Hagrid's Hut. "That was amazing, Hagrid. The way you healed the Unicorn." Harry said.
"Thanks. You gotta have this stuff ready if you're ever planning to venture in here. Your fire attack was great, too."
Harry just inclined his head in acknowledgement.
"Was it Dittany you used?" Ginny asked Hagrid.
Hagrid nodded. "Yep, it's reliable and quick. Quite rare, though."
They made their way back to Hagrid's Hut in silence. They said their goodbyes and Harry and Ginny left for the castle. They travelled to the Gryffindor Common Room in silence using the Roaming Stairs. Once there, Ginny asked him.
"What do you think that was?"
"I don't know," Harry said. He had suspicions. But his first guess was… just not possible. It just wasn't. He'd been dead for over 10 years. But nothing else made sense.
"But you suspect someone?" Ginny pressed.
Harry nodded. "Voldemort," he said.
"Why?" She asked.
"Remember what I said about the Philosopher's Stone?"
Ginny nodded.
"Well… let's just consider that he didn't really die that night. Let's just say that he, somehow, survived, and is living like this. Feasting on unicorns. And what if the reason he needs the stone is so that he can become whole again?"
Ginny nodded, she had started believing his theory about the Stone being real after they both looked into it a bit more.
"Whatever it is." Harry said. "I have a bad feeling about it."
A/N: So, another Chapter done. Thanks for reading this so far. It's 2 a.m where I am now, so I apologize for spelling errors in the note, and the last part of the Chapter.
I'm speeding through the First Year, like I said I would. But Second Year onwards will be more interesting, I promise.
Also, I have a tumblr: Curse-04. I don't know what I'm gonna post, but it's there and I'm gonna do something with it.
Byeee!!