Chapter Five
After a search of the castle and all of the grounds for any sign of Voldemort or his Death Eaters had turned up nothing, Dumbledore and the rest had returned to his office.
"Professor, we should ask Potter to let us into the Chamber of Secrets in the morning, just to be safe," suggested Snape.
"Yes, we'll see to that. Remus, do you have any opinions on this situation?" asked Dumbledore.
"Well, seeing as Harry was aware of everything that went on this evening, I'd like to think that it was not a mental attack. It is nearly impossible to maintain clarity when someone is invading your mind. Still, he had all of the signs."
"Albus, why would Harry be affected like that if You-Know-Who isn't here?" asked McGonagall, shivering at the memory of Harry's seizures.
"That is what worries me," answered Dumbledore. "As Harry said, his scar felt like Voldemort was present. I do not understand why this is so."
"Maybe it was Voldemort himself attacking Harry," suggested Sirius. "Last time they met, you said that their wands made a special connection because of their shared cores. Is it possible that Voldemort can use this fact to his advantage, and that Harry maintained his control just like he blocked those stunning spells?"
"But that's impossible," Lupin interrupted.
"It is my understanding that the boy can block the Imperius Curse rather well. At his age, that shows his capabilities," said Moody.
"I do not doubt his capabilities at all. His perfect Patronus proves that he is very talented. But even if Voldemort could use this connection against Harry," Lupin continued, "Harry would need a lot more training and his wand in hand in order to block something like that. As it is, I'm shocked he could hold off even one stunning spell with his wand in his pocket."
"But his wand wasn't in his pocket." Everyone turned to stare at Arthur Weasley. "It wasn't! I gave Harry's broom and wand to Fred during the run over here, and Fred wasn't even in the hospital wing until right before we all got there."
"Now I know everyone here has a rather inflated opinion about the boy's abilities, but this is just ridiculous," sneered Snape. Lupin put a warning hand on Sirius's arm, sensing his friend was about to lose his limited tolerance for Snape's obvious dislike of Harry.
"It may not be so ridiculous, Severus," corrected Dumbledore. "I didn't expect it to come so early, as Harry is only fifteen, or will be, but it seems his time has finally come."
"What are you talking about? What's happening to Harry?" asked Sirius.
"It has to do with why Voldemort wanted to kill Harry in the first place, when he was a baby." At this, both Lupin and Sirius started.
"I thought he was after James and Lily," said Lupin.
"No, they died trying to save Harry. It was never mentioned because I thought Harry might feel responsible, if he knew the truth."
"What is the truth, Dumbledore? What would Voldemort want with Harry?"
"Harry is special," he answered.
"Albus, is this about the speculation that James was related to Godric Gryffindor?" asked McGonagall.
"Yes, Minerva, in part it is."
"So this is all a blood feud?" yelled Sirius. "Because Voldemort is the heir of Slytherin, he has some grudge against Harry?"
"No, Voldemort would not go through all of this trouble over an ancient grudge. It is true that Harry has some Gryffindor blood in him, but Godric has nothing to do with this situation. Harry has inherited his gift from Aglaia Gryffindor, Godric's grandmother. As you may remember from your history lessons with Professor Binns, Aglaia was the first witch in Britain and, as such, had some extraordinary powers, such as the ability to withstand several curses and poisons. It was foretold that James and Lily would have a son that would possess Aglaia's strengths. This is why Voldemort was after Harry. He knew that, with his parents being who they were, Harry's loyalties could never be turned."
"Foretold?" asked McGonagall.
"Yes, by Sibyl Trelawny."
"That old bat?" yelled McGonagall, who had never put much faith into her colleague's divination abilities.
"Minerva, this prediction is genuine. Her first ever, I suspect. Voldemort must know that Harry's potential is being realized more fully every day, as demonstrated by his performance during their last encounter. Remus, will you please look into what Sirius mentioned earlier, the possibility that Voldemort's and Harry's wands are making him vulnerable for mental attack? If that is the case, perhaps we can turn the tables against Voldemort. I also ask that you keep Harry in your house for the remainder of the summer, along with Sirius. Molly, if you wouldn't mind, could Harry spend his days at your home while Remus and Sirius are at work? In the meantime, I suggest everyone find a bed and go to sleep."
As everyone made to go, Snape spoke up. "Headmaster, I am being called. I don't doubt that Voldemort knows Potter is here. What should I tell him?" As much as Sirius hated the man, he couldn't help but admire Snape's commitment to Dumbledore, and his bravery in facing Voldemort's temper on a regular basis. He did not envy Snape tonight, if indeed it was another failed attack against Harry on Voldemort's part.
"Tell him what happened to Harry and how we woke him up. We thought it might be a mental attack from one of his vampire friends or that it was just a sign that he was nearby. Tell him how long we searched the castle for him. He might be amused about that, just as he'd love details of the pain Harry was experiencing. Then tell him that Harry is going home tomorrow. As far as I know, Voldemort has not been successful in finding Harry's home."
"What are we going to tell the Dursleys?" asked Mrs. Weasley. "And what about Harry's school things?"
"I'll have an answer to that in the morning. In the meantime, go to sleep. And Alistar, will you be so kind as to relieve Hagrid? You may feel free to go home, or stay if you'd prefer. Me, I have a warm glass of butterbeer waiting for me in my room."