Harry pushed open the door to the hospital wing with Cho following close behind. He was feeling a little dazed, but otherwise quite fine. The cuts really didn't even hurt. He ran his hands over the one on his cheek... huh? Harry felt his cheek for the cut, and then he felt the other one. Cho watched in a confused manner as Harry pushed and prodded and patted both cheeks. "Are you sure you're okay?" she asked quizzically.
"Hmm? Oh. Yes... Tell me, do I have a cut on my cheek?" Harry asked. He needed proof before he could go around telling people his cuts and scratches had just disappeared.
"That's funny, I could have sworn... No, you don't have a cut," Cho replied.
Harry quickly looked at his ankle, but that was gone, too. His arm showed no trace of ever having a deep slash running down from his elbow to his wrist. Confused and tired Harry caught Madam Pomfrey's eye and asked if he looked like there was anything wrong with him. She looked at him sternly and said in a crisp voice, "This is a Hospital Wing. People come here looking for help... not problems! Now get out of here so I can attend to people who know what's wrong with them!"
Harry quickly turned and headed out the door. Cho hurried after him. They entered the classroom just as Prof. Flitwick finished writing the homework on the blackboard. "Darn!" thought Harry, "I miss every minute of Charms, yet I still have homework!" Cursing his bad timing, Harry copied down the work and sped out the door to catch up with Hermione and Ron. "Harry! Are you okay? What happened?" Hermione exclaimed, "It looked like you were having some sort of a seizure. What did Madame Pomfrey say?"
Harry slowly answered all her questions. "Harry, I don't think that sounds right. I mean cuts don't just disappear like that. Maybe you should talk to Dumbledore," Hermione said nervously.
Ron however appeared quite calm and cool. "If Madame Pomfrey said nothing was wrong, then nothing is," he stated matter-of-factly.
Harry, however, was unsure. He was actually considering speaking to Dumbledore. He pictured what the old man might say, "Hmmm... Well, that's very interesting Harry. I wouldn't worry, but keep me posted if something like this happens again."
No, that didn't sound like anything Dumbledore would say. Harry shook his head at Ron, "No, something's bothering me. I think I will speak to Dumbledore. Who knows, maybe it's a side effect of the scar."
Ron's mouth fell open as Harry walked off in the direction of Dumbledore's study. Hermione grinned smugly at his expression of shock. "Well, it look's like Tweedledee has gained a little sense, but old Tweedledum still needs to work on it," she remarked and flounced off to Arithmancy.
Harry walked up to the gargoyle that guarded Dumbledore's study. Now came the hard part, guessing the password. Harry took a deep breath and started, "Lemon drop, sherbet balls, nougat, honey toffee, coconut ice, chocolate spiders, marshmallow ghosts, Fizzing Whizbees, Droobles Best Blowing Gum, toothflossing stringmints, peppermint toads, sugar quills, exploding bonbons, pepper imps-" Harry stopped short as the gargoyle leapt aside to admit him. He hurried in wondering why Dumbledore always chose a sweet for a password.
"Excuse me for intruding, but I..." Harry stopped short at the sight of the headmaster.
He wasn't smiling and the twinkle that usually occupied his pale blue eyes was missing. He was sitting at his desk and eyeing Harry with an angry and suspicious look. Harry wondered what was troubling him, but quickly picked up the threads of his speech and said, "I was wondering if I could talk with you a moment," seeing Dumbledore's look he quickly added, "If that's all right with you."
The headmaster nodded, still keeping a suspicious eye on Harry. The boy hurriedly explained about his cuts and Charms lesson, searching Dumbledore's eyes for any trace of that friendly sparkle. It wasn't there. Once Harry finished his story Dumbledore stood up. He looked nervous. "Well, umm, your fit and cuts had to do with, um, let's see. The planets Jupiter and Venus came into alignment causing your scar to, err, react negatively. This pain flashed through your body causing your cuts and bruises. The fit you had was a result of the pain and your scar's control of your body. Umm, He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named gave you that scar during an alignment, so whenever one occurs your scar will be affected. It's nothing to worry about," the Headmaster explained.
Harry looked at Dumbledore quizzically. He had never lied to Harry, yet this answer sounded like something Professor Trelawney might say. All that mumbo jumbo about the planets was sure to be fake, and Dumbledore always called Voldemort by his name. Something strange was going on. Dumbledore wasn't acting like himself, it seemed like someone else had... Harry gasped. That was it! Maybe someone else had turned into Dumbledore... with the help of a Polyjuice potion! Slowly and casually Harry walked to the left, so he could see what was behind Dumbledore's desk. Sure enough, there was some broken glass and splintered wood. There must have been a struggle. Harry knew he was right. He thanked "Dumbledore" for his explanation and hurried off to find Ron and Hermione.
He soon found them in the library, studying for the Potions quiz. "You see Ron, the crushed spider legs act as the potion's antidote, but they also act as an ingredient to it. Get it?"
"No."
Hermione sighed and started explaining it all over again. Harry quietly slipped in. "Hey you guys. Guess what."
"Harry, I'm not in the mood for guessing games. Ron has to understand how a thing can act as an ingredient to a potion, yet still be an antidote to the same potion before tomorrow's test! Just tell me!" Hermione shouted.
Madam Pince, the librarian, shushed her. She was surrounded by first years, who looked as though they might start crying any minute. Apparently the all needed the same book, but there was only one copy. It was sort of funny to see all of them trying to tug it out of the other's hands. Madam Pince was rushing about, trying to keep them from tearing it in two. Hermione lowered her voice. Harry pulled both Ron and Hermione over to a corner and whispered, "I don't think Dumbledore is Dumbledore. I mean, I think someone is impersonating him. You know, with a Polyjuice Potion."
Ron laughed, "That's a good one, Harry."
Hermione didn't smile. "Harry, that's not funny. I mean no one could do that to Dumbledore. The teachers would notice, and how would they get rid of Dumbledore? He's the strongest wizard ever. Even You-Know-Who was scared of him, remember? There's nobody who would want to, either. Why should they? No, Harry. If this is your idea of a joke, then it isn't funny. If you really think this is an imposter... Well, you must be mistaken. What proof do you have, anyway?"
Harry looked Hermione in the eye. "I know Dumbledore. In case you haven't forgotten, Voldemort is back. He would want to take over Dumbledore to get rid of me, if nothing else. Voldemort is stronger than he used to be and braver, too. He no longer fears Dumbledore. The teachers wouldn't notice. The imposter's pretty good. Remember, he looks exactly like Dumbledore. As to what proof I have, well, Dumbledore always called Voldemort (Ron and Hermione winced) by his real name, but when he was talking to me, he said He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named. Also, Dumbledore always told me the truth, but when I spoke with him just now he fed me some lies about the planets aligning. It sounded like something out of our Divination books. I sneaked a look behind his desk, and there were signs of a struggle. I'm sure this is not the real Dumbledore. You guys have to believe me. Dumbledore might be in trouble."
Ron and Hermione stared, open-mouthed, at Harry. They were apparently speechless.
Harry spoke once again, "Good. We'll confront the imposter tonight at 11:00 with the help of my invisibility cloak. Don't be late."
He hurried off to the common room to start the charms homework, leaving Ron and Hermione alone in the library. The two returned to the table and Hermione broke the silence with, "Okay, Ron. Now, in a sleeping potion, rat's blood acts as both an antidote and a vital ingredient. How can this be?"
Ron groaned and began to gloomily recite the answer.
End of Chapter Two
"Hmm? Oh. Yes... Tell me, do I have a cut on my cheek?" Harry asked. He needed proof before he could go around telling people his cuts and scratches had just disappeared.
"That's funny, I could have sworn... No, you don't have a cut," Cho replied.
Harry quickly looked at his ankle, but that was gone, too. His arm showed no trace of ever having a deep slash running down from his elbow to his wrist. Confused and tired Harry caught Madam Pomfrey's eye and asked if he looked like there was anything wrong with him. She looked at him sternly and said in a crisp voice, "This is a Hospital Wing. People come here looking for help... not problems! Now get out of here so I can attend to people who know what's wrong with them!"
Harry quickly turned and headed out the door. Cho hurried after him. They entered the classroom just as Prof. Flitwick finished writing the homework on the blackboard. "Darn!" thought Harry, "I miss every minute of Charms, yet I still have homework!" Cursing his bad timing, Harry copied down the work and sped out the door to catch up with Hermione and Ron. "Harry! Are you okay? What happened?" Hermione exclaimed, "It looked like you were having some sort of a seizure. What did Madame Pomfrey say?"
Harry slowly answered all her questions. "Harry, I don't think that sounds right. I mean cuts don't just disappear like that. Maybe you should talk to Dumbledore," Hermione said nervously.
Ron however appeared quite calm and cool. "If Madame Pomfrey said nothing was wrong, then nothing is," he stated matter-of-factly.
Harry, however, was unsure. He was actually considering speaking to Dumbledore. He pictured what the old man might say, "Hmmm... Well, that's very interesting Harry. I wouldn't worry, but keep me posted if something like this happens again."
No, that didn't sound like anything Dumbledore would say. Harry shook his head at Ron, "No, something's bothering me. I think I will speak to Dumbledore. Who knows, maybe it's a side effect of the scar."
Ron's mouth fell open as Harry walked off in the direction of Dumbledore's study. Hermione grinned smugly at his expression of shock. "Well, it look's like Tweedledee has gained a little sense, but old Tweedledum still needs to work on it," she remarked and flounced off to Arithmancy.
Harry walked up to the gargoyle that guarded Dumbledore's study. Now came the hard part, guessing the password. Harry took a deep breath and started, "Lemon drop, sherbet balls, nougat, honey toffee, coconut ice, chocolate spiders, marshmallow ghosts, Fizzing Whizbees, Droobles Best Blowing Gum, toothflossing stringmints, peppermint toads, sugar quills, exploding bonbons, pepper imps-" Harry stopped short as the gargoyle leapt aside to admit him. He hurried in wondering why Dumbledore always chose a sweet for a password.
"Excuse me for intruding, but I..." Harry stopped short at the sight of the headmaster.
He wasn't smiling and the twinkle that usually occupied his pale blue eyes was missing. He was sitting at his desk and eyeing Harry with an angry and suspicious look. Harry wondered what was troubling him, but quickly picked up the threads of his speech and said, "I was wondering if I could talk with you a moment," seeing Dumbledore's look he quickly added, "If that's all right with you."
The headmaster nodded, still keeping a suspicious eye on Harry. The boy hurriedly explained about his cuts and Charms lesson, searching Dumbledore's eyes for any trace of that friendly sparkle. It wasn't there. Once Harry finished his story Dumbledore stood up. He looked nervous. "Well, umm, your fit and cuts had to do with, um, let's see. The planets Jupiter and Venus came into alignment causing your scar to, err, react negatively. This pain flashed through your body causing your cuts and bruises. The fit you had was a result of the pain and your scar's control of your body. Umm, He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named gave you that scar during an alignment, so whenever one occurs your scar will be affected. It's nothing to worry about," the Headmaster explained.
Harry looked at Dumbledore quizzically. He had never lied to Harry, yet this answer sounded like something Professor Trelawney might say. All that mumbo jumbo about the planets was sure to be fake, and Dumbledore always called Voldemort by his name. Something strange was going on. Dumbledore wasn't acting like himself, it seemed like someone else had... Harry gasped. That was it! Maybe someone else had turned into Dumbledore... with the help of a Polyjuice potion! Slowly and casually Harry walked to the left, so he could see what was behind Dumbledore's desk. Sure enough, there was some broken glass and splintered wood. There must have been a struggle. Harry knew he was right. He thanked "Dumbledore" for his explanation and hurried off to find Ron and Hermione.
He soon found them in the library, studying for the Potions quiz. "You see Ron, the crushed spider legs act as the potion's antidote, but they also act as an ingredient to it. Get it?"
"No."
Hermione sighed and started explaining it all over again. Harry quietly slipped in. "Hey you guys. Guess what."
"Harry, I'm not in the mood for guessing games. Ron has to understand how a thing can act as an ingredient to a potion, yet still be an antidote to the same potion before tomorrow's test! Just tell me!" Hermione shouted.
Madam Pince, the librarian, shushed her. She was surrounded by first years, who looked as though they might start crying any minute. Apparently the all needed the same book, but there was only one copy. It was sort of funny to see all of them trying to tug it out of the other's hands. Madam Pince was rushing about, trying to keep them from tearing it in two. Hermione lowered her voice. Harry pulled both Ron and Hermione over to a corner and whispered, "I don't think Dumbledore is Dumbledore. I mean, I think someone is impersonating him. You know, with a Polyjuice Potion."
Ron laughed, "That's a good one, Harry."
Hermione didn't smile. "Harry, that's not funny. I mean no one could do that to Dumbledore. The teachers would notice, and how would they get rid of Dumbledore? He's the strongest wizard ever. Even You-Know-Who was scared of him, remember? There's nobody who would want to, either. Why should they? No, Harry. If this is your idea of a joke, then it isn't funny. If you really think this is an imposter... Well, you must be mistaken. What proof do you have, anyway?"
Harry looked Hermione in the eye. "I know Dumbledore. In case you haven't forgotten, Voldemort is back. He would want to take over Dumbledore to get rid of me, if nothing else. Voldemort is stronger than he used to be and braver, too. He no longer fears Dumbledore. The teachers wouldn't notice. The imposter's pretty good. Remember, he looks exactly like Dumbledore. As to what proof I have, well, Dumbledore always called Voldemort (Ron and Hermione winced) by his real name, but when he was talking to me, he said He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named. Also, Dumbledore always told me the truth, but when I spoke with him just now he fed me some lies about the planets aligning. It sounded like something out of our Divination books. I sneaked a look behind his desk, and there were signs of a struggle. I'm sure this is not the real Dumbledore. You guys have to believe me. Dumbledore might be in trouble."
Ron and Hermione stared, open-mouthed, at Harry. They were apparently speechless.
Harry spoke once again, "Good. We'll confront the imposter tonight at 11:00 with the help of my invisibility cloak. Don't be late."
He hurried off to the common room to start the charms homework, leaving Ron and Hermione alone in the library. The two returned to the table and Hermione broke the silence with, "Okay, Ron. Now, in a sleeping potion, rat's blood acts as both an antidote and a vital ingredient. How can this be?"
Ron groaned and began to gloomily recite the answer.
End of Chapter Two
