Chapter 19
Following Cat wasn't as easy as it sounded. He was barely two seconds out of the common room when he had already lost sight of her. He started to run and wasn't paying attention when he bumped into someone.
"Where are you off to in such a rush Harry?"
Harry looked up and saw Lupin looking down at him.
"To the hospital wing."
Harry started off again when Lupin stopped him.
"I can't let you go in there right now Harry. I know you know most of what's going on, but there is a lot that you don't know. There's a lot that I don't know. Now, come with me."
Lupin had a firm hold on Harry's shoulder, guided him into his office and made him sit down. Lupin sat down at his desk and began making tea. All Harry did was stare at the door. Lupin sighed.
"Harry, no one is hurting her. It's bad enough that Cat is flying off the handle without you starting. Now drink this and let me tell you something."
He handed Harry and cup of tea. Harry looked down into the cup and said nothing.
"Harry, I knew her parents. This is what they wanted for her. It's a very high honor."
Harry looked up at Lupin.
"What do you mean? I won't let them hurt her. I'll..."
Lupin cut him off.
"Harry, no, they are not. She's a chosen druid Harry. Which is part of the problem. The locket that she wears is what makes her chosen. It also makes her very weak right now. She's adjusting to the power in the stone. In the druid clan she belongs to, the chosen one comes from a certain family bloodline. Now there are three other stones as well. They are not as powerful and they answer to the stone Alex has. Which gives her a lot of power. And puts her in a lot of danger. And not just from Voldemort."
Harry looked confused but didn't say anything. Lupin sighed.
"Ok, let me start from the beginning. That may help." Lupin stood up and started pacing. "I know you know that her parents were friends of mine. Jack was a year older than we were. He knew about me being a werewolf and that Sirius, Peter and your father had become animagi. He was the one who would help sneak them out and back into the castle. He also hated Snape because, well, it seemed at the time that Snape had a crush on both Lilly and Karen." Harry started to laugh. "It's not funny Harry. We never found out which one he liked. Snape had also stumbled onto the fact that Jack was druid. No one but James and me knew that. Anyway, that was why Jack gave Sirius the idea to pull a prank on him. I really think that Jack thought Sirius wouldn't go through with it. Which was why when Jack found out he told James. Snape then started taunting Lilly and Karen, whispering to them that Jack and I were something more than just wizards. It got nasty for a while." Lupin sat back down. "Snape never got over the fact that Lilly and Karen married James and Jack, or the fact that they were killed fighting against Voldemort. Snape also never forgave Jack for involving Karen in his druid background."
Harry stood up.
"That still doesn't explain the reason that Alex should go through this, and why they want to take her away. And I still don't understand what Voldemort has to do with any of this. She's safer here, isn't she Professor?"
Lupin sighed. "I don't know Harry. If she's safer here, I mean. Dumbledore seems to think so. You remember what you read about the stone? That's why she was believed to be dead. The stone is useless without her. But Voldemort can't touch her here and he still wants the power in the stone. As for Alex, this is something that comes from her heritage. It's a birthright. Her mother had to go through some very difficult tasks to be able to wear the stone, since she wasn't a decedent of the Reese family. And that ritual can only be performed once. It is very crucial that she take her place among her people. She's the last in her family who can wear it and protect the Clan. You see, only a woman can wear the stones." He paused for a moment. "That stone is kind of a failsafe for the chosen ones of the Dragon Clans. Remember from your history assignment from this summer? The gauntlets they wear? That stone is the only thing that can destroy them. Dumbledore had Binn's assign that to you for a reason. The Dragon Heart Clan used to belong to the Dragon Clan. I don't know why they spilt off, no one really knows, but they do not take kindly to being, umm, told what to do. The main reason they want to take her is because Cat is here, her father working for the Ministry and all. They don't trust her, or any of us for that matter. Cat doesn't trust them. Not many in the wizarding world do trust druids." Harry sat down, looking confused again.
"So, Cat doesn't want Alex to be a chosen one then?" Lupin shook his head.
"No, Harry that's not what Cat is concerned about. She likes Alex. Cat just doesn't want them to put her in danger. Or have them turn her against us. She and I have had a few talks about it." Lupin looked at his watch. Harry got the sense that the Professor was not telling him everything that he knew. "I have to get to a meeting Harry. I suggest you get back to Gryffindor or even down to lunch. But stay away from the hospital wing. And don't worry, everything will be ok." Lupin stood up and followed Harry out of his office. He stood in the hallway and watched Harry walk back to Gryffindor
