Chapter 3: Sneaking Around

Lore and Mythology seemed to go so much more quickly than Potions. As they were leaving class, the golden trio found a quiet nook in a hallway to discuss their "findings".

"I still don't know what Snape has against Cain, he's a bloody brilliant storyteller," exclaimed Ron. "Maybe he's just jealous. They're so much better than those Muggle fairy tales!" "He is a good storyteller, true," admitted Hermione. "But it's… unlike Professor Snape to offer us Gryffindor points like that. It really must be important to him." "I understand Snape's distrust of Cain," said Harry. "But I disagree that he's a fraud like Lockhart. He seems to command a great power. A power that none of us, except for possibly Dumbledore, can comprehend. I think it's that unknown power that makes Snape feel uneasy. Makes… me feel uneasy."

Harry continued. "I think Snape had the right idea for someone to keep an eye on Cain. But I don't think just attending Cain's classes is going to provide us any real insight. I will need to find out where he's staying at night and spy on him. I'm sure the Invisibility Cloak will come in handy." "We can ask Snape after class tomorrow, I'm sure he'd know where Cain's quarters are," said Ron. "I'll handle that," Hermione volunteered.

The next day, immediately after Potions class, Hermione stayed behind, but Snape didn't seem to notice her, at least not yet. He had his back turned toward her, going through various vials and flasks on a shelf. "Need something, Miss Granger?" he asked, back still turned toward her. "Professor, I need to know something," she said in a quiet tone. "MmHMM," Snape replied in a somewhat patronizing tone. "Is this pertaining to our… arrangements by any chance?" "Yes, Professor," she said. "Very well," Snape said, finally turning toward Hermione. He strode to her desk and said in a low voice, "What do you need to know?"

"Well, sir, the three of us couldn't find anything of interest in Cain's lecture yesterday," she said. "That should be Professor Cain to you, Miss Granger, but alas, he's about as qualified to be a professor as that lunatic Lockhart," Snape muttered. "But between you and me, he's only a probationary instructor teaching a course so useless that even Muggles would find it completely ridiculous." He paused, and motioned for Hermione to continue. "Harry, Ron and I were wondering if you knew where his quarters were located. Snape arched an eyebrow. "Normally I don't condone such… extracurricular activities, but if you feel confident enough to spy on him during his personal time undetected, I won't object. I trust you have the appropriate means of doing so." Hermione smirked. "We have resources." Snape offered Hermione the slightest of grins. "Very well then, Miss Granger. You have the craftiness of a Slytherin." "Was that… a compliment, Professor?" Hermione asked. "I'll let you make that determination," Snape replied, still slightly grinning.

"So, where are his quarters then?" asked Hermione. "He lives in a makeshift hovel outside the castle, near the Training Grounds, about halfway between the Womping Willow and the Quidditch Pitch. Dumbledore offered to give him a proper office and quarters, but Cain insisted on living outside the castle. I've never been inside but I'd wager he's as untidy as he is absent-minded," said Snape nonchalantly. "And one last word of advice, Miss Granger. You three are on your own if you choose to proceed. If Mister Filch or other faculty catch you, I cannot vouch for you. But if you should succeed in finding anything of interest this evening, I shall increase your house's reward for going above and beyond what I asked."

Harry, Hermione and Ron met up at lunch to discuss their game plan. "What did you find out from Snape?" Ron asked. "Cain lives in a small house outside the castle," she said. "It's somewhere between the Womping Willow and the quidditch pitch. He described it in the most unflattering way." "Well, it shouldn't be too hard to find then," said Harry. "What say we meet up in the Gryffindor common room at say, ten o'clock tonight?" "Works for me," said Ron. "See you then," added Hermione.

That evening, the three young Gryffindor students met up in their house's common room. "Nice fashion statement, Ronald," Hermione whispered, trying hard to suppress a giggle. "What? They're comfortable," Ron shot back. "Not many boys your age still wear dinosaur pajamas." "Dinosaurs? They're dragons!" "Oh cut it out, you two," Harry said. "Got your invisibility cloak, Harry?" asked Ron quietly. "Right here," replied Harry. "All right boys. Now Snape warned us to be very careful as he did not technically authorize us to spy on Cain after hours," murmured Hermione. "If we get caught by Filch, Professor McGonagall or any other staff member, he will not be able to get us out of detention." "Probably to save his own arse," said Ron. Harry nodded at Ron in agreement. "That may be so, but I do think he cares about us a lot more than he lets on," continued Hermione. Harry and Ron shot her a look of disbelief. "Well, what are we waiting for? Let's move out," whispered Harry. "Gather close, you two." He draped them in the large, blanket-like garment, and the three quietly made their way outside the castle.

Thanks to the invisibility cloak, they had found Cain's hut without detection. It was definitely cramped-looking, smaller than a Gryffindor dorm room. It looks like it was made of nothing but logs, sticks and magic, with a single door and two round openings which ostensibly served as windows. The three of them peered inside one of the windows and saw a bookshelf filled with strange volumes even Hermione could not recognize, a simple straw mattress and blanket, and in the opposite side of the room Cain was seated on a simple oaken stool behind a desk, completely cluttered with countless pieces of parchment and more of those strange tomes.

Cain was pawing through his pile of papers, and was wearing a look of thorough confusion on his face. "This still makes no sense," he whispered to himself. "I've been at Hogwarts for almost two weeks and I still have more questions than answers." He took a small sip of what appeared to be a hot herbal tea. "It's not like Diablo to simply stay in the shadows completely undetected, his presence is usually felt. Something truly strange is happening. Something sinister."

"Diablo?" whispered Hermione. "I remember Cain talking about him during the lectures. I thought he was just telling us stories. He can't really exist, can he?" "I hope not," replied Ron, yawning softly. "He sounds worse than You-Know-Who." "So there's a chance Cain is not our only visitor from another world," Harry said.

Cain picked up on the soft voices outside his hut. "Who's there?" he asked, his eyes barely looking up from his mess of papers. "I know someone's outside my hut. Please, whoever you are, come in. Stay awhile. We have much to discuss." Harry whispered to Hermione and Ron. "I think we should talk to him. Something tells me we should… like, Hogwarts depends on it." "Are you mad? Snape would have our hides if our cover is blown," hissed Hermione.

"Hermione, normally I would say you're right as you're the most reasonable one of the outfit, but… just trust me on this one," Harry replied. "Ugh, if you say so, Harry," said Hermione, still unconvinced. "I'll take the fall if something happens. Snape hates me the most."

Harry opened the wooden door to Cain's hut, and removed the cloak, revealing themselves to the sage. "Hello, young friends," said Cain. "It's a bit late to be out, don't you think?" "Well sir, we've been hearing rumors… rumors of a new Dark Lord from another realm," said Harry with some hesitation. "We've heard your lectures, but this Lord Diablo was supposed to be just a myth, right?" asked Hermione, with a look of concern on her face. Cain's face softened a bit, his eyes twinkling, very reminiscent of a certain headmaster. "I can see there's no fooling you three. It's a very long story, so help yourself to some tea and biscuits in the meantime." The trio poured themselves some mugs of tea and grabbed a couple of biscuits each. Ron's face lit up when he sipped the tea. "This is delicious, what kind is it?" Cain smiled. "Well, you might not drink it if I told you exactly is in it, so let's just say that it contains some herbs and spices from my old home in Tristram."

"So, Diablo is not just a myth?" asked Harry. "No, young Harry," replied Cain. "I'm afraid that it was he who created the rift between my world and yours. I can't explain why he did, but that's why I'm here. If I can protect Hogwarts from the fury of Diablo, I will do everything I can to do so. He is an extraordinarily formidable adversary." "We have an enemy of our own," said Ron. "We don't like to say his name because he is an utterly terrifying sorcerer. "Lord Voldemort?" asked Cain. Harry did not flinch, but Hermione and Ron shuddered. "You know of him?" asked Hermione. "I do. And my guess is that it's his power that attracted Diablo's attention, if he's as horrifying as the local legend says he is," replied Cain.

"I sense something special about you three. You're younger than the heroes that I have aided in the past, but there is a rare spark in you. And rarer still, a synergy." "What's a synergy?" asked Ron. "What he means is, our mutual friendships make each other stronger," answered Hermione. "Precisely right, Hermione," said Cain. "In addition to your magical gifts, the three of you have individual gifts that will serve you well. Harry, you have the gifts of leadership and selflessness. Hermione, you have the gifts of intelligence and reason. Ronald, you have the gifts of loyalty and optimism." "Sounds like I got the crummy gifts," Ron conceded. Cain looked at Ron knowingly. "Quite the contrary, young Ronald. You may not appreciate them now, but I promise that you will find, when the time comes, how important your gifts truly are."

Without warning, a bright, blinding light in the sky, rather like a shooting star, came hurtling down toward Hogwarts. Cain stood up and rushed to the window, with a hand over his brow to partially block out some of the glaring light. He hadn't seen anything this bright since he had stepped into the portal two weeks earlier. But this time, it didn't appear to be another rift opening. It looked to be… a being. One of power. Perhaps terrifying power.

"Harry. Hermione. Ronald. You'd best hide in that cloak of yours while I find out what this is all about. Stay right where you are." Cain stepped outside to see the bright light hit the earth. The light seemed to gradually increase in size – no, it wasn't getting bigger, it was moving toward him. Bravely, Cain stood his ground while the three students watched, frightened and shaking under the cloak. The light became so bright that that they could see brightness even with their eyes closed, but suddenly, the light dimmed. In front of Cain was a figure, mostly obscured by shadow but with a faint glow of light. "Who are you?" asked Cain. "Reveal yourself!"

The figure took a step forward, drew an ancient sword of untold power, and thrust it into the ground. The visage of the figure finally started to take shape, as a set of gleaming wings and armor became visible. Finally, the figure spoke. "There is no need to fear me, my friend. It is I, the Archangel Tyrael. I have sought you out, and your three new companions. I have recently uncovered a shocking truth to share with all of you, and it will not be easy to hear."

Harry, Hermione, and Ron knew that this figure was very powerful, but they weren't sure exactly how powerful. "Harry Potter. Hermione Granger. Ronald Weasley," the voice called for the trio. "There's no need to hide from me as I can already see you under that magical garment. Like Deckard Cain, I am here to aid you in your quest. This will be the most trying challenge your kind will have ever faced, but it ultimately falls to you three to defeat this otherworldly evil that threatens to consume Hogwarts and everything else in this world."

Harry Potter emerged from under the cloak. "I am Harry Potter, sir." Harry could not see any expression on Tyrael's face, as it was completely obscured by his mystical cowl, but he could sense the goodness and righteousness emanating from this powerful being. "Ah yes, The Boy Who Lived. It is an honor to meet you at last, Harry Potter. Like many from Sanctuary, you are an exemplary warrior of the light. Your accomplishments at such a tender age rival many of our realm's finest heroes, young mage. Go back inside Deckard Cain's hut and wait. I must summon Albus Dumbledore as I believe to be the only other mortal here that can truly handle the terrible truth that I must reveal. I will be back with all of you shortly."