Harry Potter and the Children's Crusades
Harry Potter theme and related characters are property of J.K. Rowling. Plot and character Naera Vale is property of Meisako Pyoko-Chan (Melissa Pomeroy), 2002. Any and all reviews appriaciated.~~~*~~~*~~~*~~~*~~~*~~~*~~~*~~~*~~~
chapter SEVEN: Plot Hole
*****
Welcome to my version of Harry's sixth year at Hogwarts. This is the story of Harry, Ron, Hermione, just about everyone else, and a new character, Naera Vale. Please read my rendition of Harry's fifth year, Harry Potter and the Fallen Angel at Hogwart (complete), and Lily and James (from seventh year to that fateful night), Until Death Do Us Part (work in progress).
****
Soon after Harry had finished his breakfast he made his way back to the Infirmiry to aplogize to Ginny. When he reached his destination, he mentally kicked himself. Ginny had gone off to her first class.
He flopped onto the bed and wondered what there was to do, not having a class to attend afterall. He could wander about aimlessly or visit the house elves in the kitchen... Hagrid! He could visit Hagrid!
Harry got to his feet once more and began down the corridor. Once outside, he smiled. He had forgotten how nice the trees smelt around Hogwarts and how clean the air was. The snow looked especially white on the grounds and ontop of Hagrid's hut. It looked so pure... untouched... undisturbed... Harry frowned. Undisturbed? No one had walked in the snow here since it had fallen.
Did that mean Hagrid hadn't come out of his house? Or that he hadn't gone it? The usual smoke filtering from the crooked chimney wasn't there, nor the low bark of Fang, the boarhound. Something wasn't right and Harry could feel it in the pit of his stomach.
He ran through the snow slowly until he reached the hut's door. "Hagrid! Hagrid open up! It's me, Harry!" He pounded the door with his fist. No sound, no answer. Harry tried the door. It was locked.
"You wont find him in there, Harry." Harry turned and saw Professor Dumbledore striding towards him in the snow, wearing thick robes of violet and emerald. Seeing the Headmaster in his winter clothes made Harry shiver. He only had on his one robe.
Dumbledore noticed this and headed towards the Gryffindor. "Dear boy, one might have more of an inclination to bundle up in this November weather." He chuckled and took off one of his many robes and hung them about Harry's shoulders. A strange warmth spread through him, more than from the cloak alone. A warmth from something stronger.
"Professor, you said I wouldn't find Hagrid in his hut, why is that?"
"Because he is not in his hut, Harry." Dumbledore's eyes twinkled. "But I can tell you where you may find him, if you'd like?"
"Yes, sir, please." Harry pulled his arms into Dumbledore's sleeves. They were far too long on him. Harry smiled to himself. What an odd thing to be doing, to be wear the Headmaster's clothing.
"Naturally, he's at the Ministry. Assisting them with some difficulties." Before Harry could ask what 'difficulties' needed Hagrid's assistance, Dumbledore placed a hand on Harry's back and led him towards the castle. "Which leads me to why I myself came in looking for you."
Harry looked up. "Did I do something wrong?"
"No, no. The Minister merely wishes for you to be present for something at the Ministry. A bit of a surprise, I believe he said." Dumbledore averted his eyes to ensure Harry could not read his face.
"Very well, then. Shall I leave immediately?" Harry held the large door open for the Headmaster, who nodded a thanks.
"I would think that wise, while the other students are in class. I don't suppose it will take all that long." Dumbledore handed Harry a small pouch of floo powder. "The Great Hall is the closest hearth, I believe." He smiled. "I'll see you when you return. Maybe then Madam Pomfrey can give your hair a trim. I daresay if we do not have it cut soon, one might mistaken you for our Potions Master." With that he turned down the corridor in the opposite direction Harry was headed.
"But sir! Your robe!" Harry fumbled to take it off but the old wizard had already departed. He put it back on and went into the Great Hall, violet and emerald trailing a long, sweeping train behind him. At the mantle, Harry tossed in a pinch of the fine granules and watched the flames dance to a new rythme. He stepped in and felt the wamr breath of the fire lapping at his entire body.
"Ministry of Magic."
With an all too familiar feeling of dizziness and spinning, Harry was pulled through a series of chimneys until his feet struck the ground. It felt like- no, it was only yesterday that he had entered that same room. Yesterday he had been met by eager wizards to confirm him being alive and to be relieved that all hope had not been lost. It would have all been lost if it had not been for Naera Vale.
Harry looked around the room as if expecting Naera to suddenly jump out from the shadows. He owed her so much, but she left before he could so much as thank her for saving him. What a noble person, she was.
Harry walked forward and opened the door. The hall was empty. Surely some one would have come to meet him and take him to the Minister? He bit his lip. Where was he to go to now? Without thinking, Harry began to walk aimlessly down the corridor. He passed what he thought was Percy's office, but it appeared deserted.
Having no clue as to which direction he should be heading, Harry opened a random door and entered. There was no one in there, either. The room he had gone in was dark and had little furnature, like a small and dank waiting room. It looked completely unused for ages. Then something caught Harry's eye. A door with a golden 'two' painted on it. He approached and touched the doorknob, thinking furiously. If he thought hard enough about the Minister, perhaps the door could take him to Fudge. He opened the door and the room filled with light from the other side of the entrance.
It was now evident why no one had greeted him, they were having a meeting of some sort. Harry felt slightly guilty, but he couldn't close the door. He knew it was wrong, and most likely illegal, to listen to the private meetings of the Ministry of Magic, but he couldn't help it. What Fudge had just said to the others pulled in Harry's attention.
"...currently, and the death toll is an estimated one-hundred-fifty-three," Fudge was saying.
"Estimated?" asked another wizard.
Fudge didn't seem to know how to reply. "Yes... we aren't sure how many different persons we have bodies for, as many are merely fragments..."
The other wizard took his seat and stared fixedly at his hands. What were they talking about?
"And the boy? Harry? Should we not punish him?" asked another. Harry listened raptly. Punish? HIM? "He did, after all, use Avada Kedavra on a fellow wizard..."
"Geofry, Harry used the curse on himself. He was trying to save lives!" Arthur Weasley stood from his chair and glued his eyes to the wizard. The other closed his mouth and looked away.
"Arthur's right. We cannot punish Harry Potter, although suicide is a crime-" began another.
"Enough already!" Fudge glared at them all in turn, which took some minutes, as there must have been two hundred witches and wizards crammed into the confrence room. "He is not to be punished, is that clear? Do you not recall the panic we all were in when he was not to be found? And the relief when he was? Come now, all of you! For the boy, we must have certain exceptions, sometimes..." The room was deathly silent.
Harry bit his lip. He had wondered for the longest time whether or not they would send him to Azkaban for what he did last May... When he had offered Voldemort to take his own life to spare his friends... to spare the world.
"What shall we do now?" asked a witch from the front of the room. "You-Know-Who grows ever stronger. Earlier this year, we had all of our best and strongest men out there, and still we were not enough to defeat him!"
"There is nothing we can do, Olive. Nothing. He grows far too strong for us now. There is no hope." Fudge turned his back on the room as they all began to murmur and shout.
Harry sank to the floor. The Ministry was going to do nothing? Harry felt scandalized. Why did he have to hear that? Why? Harry felt as though he might as well curl into a ball and die right there. If nothing was to be done, what was the point in hiding from Voldemort any longer? There was none. They would all die soon enough, with Voldemort gaining power and followers each day.
Harry looked through the door, glad that they could not see him, and watched their frightened faces. Some were even begining to weep. Something clicked inside Harry. If it was the last thing he would do, he would not let them cry any more. He didn't want anyone else to be hurt, not becuase they felt they could do nothing. Surely there was something some one could do... Something Harry could do.
Harry closed the door he had been watching through and stared intently at the wood grain in the door. He needed a plan. Harry decided right there and then that we would do something. He had defeated Voldemort before, and he could surely do it again.
Harry heard voices outside the room and figured that the meeting had ended. He stood and thought of Fudge again and opened the door. The Minister was sitting at a desk in a large and brightly lit room. Breathing hard and contorting his face to appear cheerful, Harry stepped through the door and out the Mirror. Fundge looked up.
"Ah! Harry! You've discovered how to work the 'Two Door'?" He smiled at Harry.
"Yes, but I don't understand what the 'two' has to do with it..." Harry took a seat in a vaccant chair.
"It's for the house elves. They can't read, as you might guess, but they know their numbers. They suggested the 'two' to help them remember which door went to other rooms. House elves are devilishly clever." Fudge chuckled. Harry silently agreed, remembering how Dobby had tried to hint to him what waited for him in his second year at Hogwarts some years back.
"Erm, sir? Professor Dumbledore said you wanted to see me?" Harry tried to look innocent, but his mind was still on the meeting he had stumbled across.
"Hm? Oh, yes!" Fudge laced his fingers together and leaned across the desk on his fore arms. "One of the Ministrates here had a suspision as to the whereabouts of your possesions." Harry felt his stomach leap. "She contacted Hagrid, and together, they found some things that might interest you. Care to see for yourself?"
"Yes, please!" Harry and the Minister took to the corridor and soon found themselves in a another room, smaller than Cornelius Fudge's office. The first person Harry recognized was Hagrid, looming over the few other people in the room like the Whomping Willow over the edge of Hogwarts grounds. He stood, speaking amicabley to a woman. Naera Vale. Harry smiled. Now he would be able to thank her properly.
"A team of Muggle Relations experts put together some information, gathered by Vale, and found some things that might interest you." Fudge motioned Harry to a corner where a dirty trunk sat on a small mound of soil.
"My things!" Harry rushed over and unlocked the trunk. The heads in the room turned to smile at Harry. Inside the trunk was all of this possesions, completely and one-hundred-percent as he had last left them.
"Where was it?" said Harry, pulling out his wand and giving it a swift flick.
"Buried in a hole on the Dursley's land plot." said a familiar voice. Harry looked up and smiled broadly.
"I never did thank you properly, Naera."
She shook her head. "It wont be neccessary, really. It was my job."
"But I truely am thankful. I just want you to know that." They shook hands, but Harry had strange desire to give her a hug. She seemed... well, sisterly enough. "Thank you."
"Harry, you should really be thanking Hagrid. Without his nifflers, we'd never have found it." Naera motioned for Hagrid to appraoch. He smiled through his long black whiskers and showed Harry the six leashes in his hand, which were attatched to six hyper nifflers.
"Mornin' Harry!" Hagrid nodded to the sixteen-year-old. Harry rushed into the half-giant's arms and hugged him. In a few more years, Harry bet he would be able to wrap his arms completely around Hagrid, but for now, he just couldn't do it.
"Thank you, Hagrid! You haven't any idea how much I've missed you and Hogwarts! With my things back, I can start my lessons!" Harry let go.
Hagrid looked suprised. "Aren't you a bit too old for hugging, Harry?"
"Not at all. You're older than me and you've hugged me before," said Harry, pulling a lock of hair out of his face.
Naera gasped.
"Is something wrong?" Harry turned to face her.
"N-no, it's just... you look like some one I went to school with. But that was a long time ago." She grinned. "Oh Harry, let me give you a trim, what do you say?"
Fudge looked as though he were stiffling a laugh. "Yes, Harry. I must say, you look like Snape with your hair growing out wildly like that."
Harry wrinkled his nose. "Well, I thought I looked like Sirius, but if everyone keeps insisting that I look like Professor Snape, then I suppose something must be done." With some reluctance, he nodded to Naera. "Alright, as long as you don't go too dramatic. Promise?"
She smiled. "Splendid! Have you a spare room, sir?" she asked Fudge.
After a few moments, Harry found himself in a well lit room with several comfortable looking chairs.
"Please, sit, Harry!" Naera seemed very excited as she pulled a comb out of her robe pocket. "I always carry a comb with me." She ran her fingers through her long black hair. "Just in case, you know? Can never be too careful!" Harry sat and she approached, running the comb through his hair breifly before taking out her wand. "Now, how short are we talking here? Just a few inches off? More? Less?"
"Just so no one makes the comment that I look like Snape ever again," sighed Harry.
She laughed pleasantly. "I see. Alright, hold still." With a whoosh of her wand, Harry felt a large lock of his hair fall onto his shoulders. "More off? Just right?" She handed him a mirror.
"Hey! That doesn't look too bad!" Harry moved his head so he could get a better view of his hair in the reflection. "Yeah, that's good. I like it."
"Oh good. I was afraid it would be too short, and that would take a nasty spell to lengthen it..." She took up the comb again and started with the rest of his hair. "Nice robe, by the way, Harry." She brushed some hair off his shoulders. "Lovely colours."
"It's Professor Dumbledore's robe. He loaned it to me earlier," said Harry. He had honestly forgotten he was still wearing it. He'd have to thank the Headmaster when he got back to shcool.
"Albus's? Goodness, no wonder it is so big!" Naera giggled softly. "Looks nice, anyway."
"Harry?"
Some one had poked their head in the doorway. Naera and Harry both turned to see their visitor. Sirius Black opened the door all the way and stood up straight.
"Hagrid said I might find you in here..." his voice was slow and deliberate. Something funny glimmered in his eye. What was it?
"Hello, Sirius. Just getting my hair cut..." Harry saw that Sirius was no longer acknowledging him, Sirius was staring at Naera. She was staring back.
No one moved or breathed. It was as if the air had been sucked from the room.
Sirius's vibrant chocolate eyes were locked on Naera's fluid mahogany ones.
~~~*~~~*~~~*~~~*~~~*~~~*~~~*~~~*~~~
Okay, yeah. More fishy things going on here!
Slycat: This is about as much as the mirror takes role in. Nothing more, really. We'll discuss Ginny in the NEXT chapter. She's not really disappointed, really. She's forming a plan. The job is boring... but I'll survive! Glad you care! You know what? I broke up with my boyfriend! *sniff* I thought we could still be friends... but he's being a jerk about it. So now I'm free to have Draco all to myself! :)
Arcee: Punish the Dursleys? I'll think about it! Any ideas on how I should do that?
Tarawen: Oh, there are lots of things odd here. *smirk* You'll just have to wait to fully recognize it! I was thinking of making Harry a little less selfless, but I don't know how that'll fit in with the rest of my story.... Oh! I got it! *tut tut tut* Selfish Harry... Share! *plan forms in Meisako's mind* Ooooh. I like!
TartaMegami: LOL! 'Plot hole'! Like my pun? I rather did. :) Guess what?! I must be a true fan! I ate toast... with catsup! It tasted like crunchy catsup... seeing how I hate catsup, this just shows my true devotion to the great Harry Potter. I can't tell you how much courage went into actually eating it....
Stargirl2004: I'm glad you like it! My mind is a bit strange so that would explain why my stories are!
EVERYONE: Thanks for reviewing! I'm very happy you all are liking it! When I was using my sister as a beta, she was completely useless (she doesn't like Harry Potter... at all.) I had to write these all with noooo help! I'm just happy everything is working out!
If you haven't got the movie, I feel sorry for you! I've had it for two days and I've seen it nine times! My family refuses to watch it with me because I quote the actors while they are speaking it! Yes, yes. I am a bit mad, but you know you love me! Come on! I am, after all, The Huggable Muggle.
Oooh! Go Neville!
"And finally, it takes a great deal of bravery to stand up to your enemies, but a great deal more to stand up to your friends. For this I award Neville Longbottom ten points. Assuming my calculations are correct, I believe a change of decorations is in order. Gryffindor wins the House Cup."
Okay, I'm done with my quoting!!
I have a new E-Mail: Slytherin_Angel@MostlySunny.com Please email me! :) I'd like that.
Harry Potter theme and related characters are property of J.K. Rowling. Plot and character Naera Vale is property of Meisako Pyoko-Chan (Melissa Pomeroy), 2002. Any and all reviews appriaciated.
chapter SEVEN: Plot Hole
Welcome to my version of Harry's sixth year at Hogwarts. This is the story of Harry, Ron, Hermione, just about everyone else, and a new character, Naera Vale. Please read my rendition of Harry's fifth year, Harry Potter and the Fallen Angel at Hogwart (complete), and Lily and James (from seventh year to that fateful night), Until Death Do Us Part (work in progress).
****
Soon after Harry had finished his breakfast he made his way back to the Infirmiry to aplogize to Ginny. When he reached his destination, he mentally kicked himself. Ginny had gone off to her first class.
He flopped onto the bed and wondered what there was to do, not having a class to attend afterall. He could wander about aimlessly or visit the house elves in the kitchen... Hagrid! He could visit Hagrid!
Harry got to his feet once more and began down the corridor. Once outside, he smiled. He had forgotten how nice the trees smelt around Hogwarts and how clean the air was. The snow looked especially white on the grounds and ontop of Hagrid's hut. It looked so pure... untouched... undisturbed... Harry frowned. Undisturbed? No one had walked in the snow here since it had fallen.
Did that mean Hagrid hadn't come out of his house? Or that he hadn't gone it? The usual smoke filtering from the crooked chimney wasn't there, nor the low bark of Fang, the boarhound. Something wasn't right and Harry could feel it in the pit of his stomach.
He ran through the snow slowly until he reached the hut's door. "Hagrid! Hagrid open up! It's me, Harry!" He pounded the door with his fist. No sound, no answer. Harry tried the door. It was locked.
"You wont find him in there, Harry." Harry turned and saw Professor Dumbledore striding towards him in the snow, wearing thick robes of violet and emerald. Seeing the Headmaster in his winter clothes made Harry shiver. He only had on his one robe.
Dumbledore noticed this and headed towards the Gryffindor. "Dear boy, one might have more of an inclination to bundle up in this November weather." He chuckled and took off one of his many robes and hung them about Harry's shoulders. A strange warmth spread through him, more than from the cloak alone. A warmth from something stronger.
"Professor, you said I wouldn't find Hagrid in his hut, why is that?"
"Because he is not in his hut, Harry." Dumbledore's eyes twinkled. "But I can tell you where you may find him, if you'd like?"
"Yes, sir, please." Harry pulled his arms into Dumbledore's sleeves. They were far too long on him. Harry smiled to himself. What an odd thing to be doing, to be wear the Headmaster's clothing.
"Naturally, he's at the Ministry. Assisting them with some difficulties." Before Harry could ask what 'difficulties' needed Hagrid's assistance, Dumbledore placed a hand on Harry's back and led him towards the castle. "Which leads me to why I myself came in looking for you."
Harry looked up. "Did I do something wrong?"
"No, no. The Minister merely wishes for you to be present for something at the Ministry. A bit of a surprise, I believe he said." Dumbledore averted his eyes to ensure Harry could not read his face.
"Very well, then. Shall I leave immediately?" Harry held the large door open for the Headmaster, who nodded a thanks.
"I would think that wise, while the other students are in class. I don't suppose it will take all that long." Dumbledore handed Harry a small pouch of floo powder. "The Great Hall is the closest hearth, I believe." He smiled. "I'll see you when you return. Maybe then Madam Pomfrey can give your hair a trim. I daresay if we do not have it cut soon, one might mistaken you for our Potions Master." With that he turned down the corridor in the opposite direction Harry was headed.
"But sir! Your robe!" Harry fumbled to take it off but the old wizard had already departed. He put it back on and went into the Great Hall, violet and emerald trailing a long, sweeping train behind him. At the mantle, Harry tossed in a pinch of the fine granules and watched the flames dance to a new rythme. He stepped in and felt the wamr breath of the fire lapping at his entire body.
"Ministry of Magic."
With an all too familiar feeling of dizziness and spinning, Harry was pulled through a series of chimneys until his feet struck the ground. It felt like- no, it was only yesterday that he had entered that same room. Yesterday he had been met by eager wizards to confirm him being alive and to be relieved that all hope had not been lost. It would have all been lost if it had not been for Naera Vale.
Harry looked around the room as if expecting Naera to suddenly jump out from the shadows. He owed her so much, but she left before he could so much as thank her for saving him. What a noble person, she was.
Harry walked forward and opened the door. The hall was empty. Surely some one would have come to meet him and take him to the Minister? He bit his lip. Where was he to go to now? Without thinking, Harry began to walk aimlessly down the corridor. He passed what he thought was Percy's office, but it appeared deserted.
Having no clue as to which direction he should be heading, Harry opened a random door and entered. There was no one in there, either. The room he had gone in was dark and had little furnature, like a small and dank waiting room. It looked completely unused for ages. Then something caught Harry's eye. A door with a golden 'two' painted on it. He approached and touched the doorknob, thinking furiously. If he thought hard enough about the Minister, perhaps the door could take him to Fudge. He opened the door and the room filled with light from the other side of the entrance.
It was now evident why no one had greeted him, they were having a meeting of some sort. Harry felt slightly guilty, but he couldn't close the door. He knew it was wrong, and most likely illegal, to listen to the private meetings of the Ministry of Magic, but he couldn't help it. What Fudge had just said to the others pulled in Harry's attention.
"...currently, and the death toll is an estimated one-hundred-fifty-three," Fudge was saying.
"Estimated?" asked another wizard.
Fudge didn't seem to know how to reply. "Yes... we aren't sure how many different persons we have bodies for, as many are merely fragments..."
The other wizard took his seat and stared fixedly at his hands. What were they talking about?
"And the boy? Harry? Should we not punish him?" asked another. Harry listened raptly. Punish? HIM? "He did, after all, use Avada Kedavra on a fellow wizard..."
"Geofry, Harry used the curse on himself. He was trying to save lives!" Arthur Weasley stood from his chair and glued his eyes to the wizard. The other closed his mouth and looked away.
"Arthur's right. We cannot punish Harry Potter, although suicide is a crime-" began another.
"Enough already!" Fudge glared at them all in turn, which took some minutes, as there must have been two hundred witches and wizards crammed into the confrence room. "He is not to be punished, is that clear? Do you not recall the panic we all were in when he was not to be found? And the relief when he was? Come now, all of you! For the boy, we must have certain exceptions, sometimes..." The room was deathly silent.
Harry bit his lip. He had wondered for the longest time whether or not they would send him to Azkaban for what he did last May... When he had offered Voldemort to take his own life to spare his friends... to spare the world.
"What shall we do now?" asked a witch from the front of the room. "You-Know-Who grows ever stronger. Earlier this year, we had all of our best and strongest men out there, and still we were not enough to defeat him!"
"There is nothing we can do, Olive. Nothing. He grows far too strong for us now. There is no hope." Fudge turned his back on the room as they all began to murmur and shout.
Harry sank to the floor. The Ministry was going to do nothing? Harry felt scandalized. Why did he have to hear that? Why? Harry felt as though he might as well curl into a ball and die right there. If nothing was to be done, what was the point in hiding from Voldemort any longer? There was none. They would all die soon enough, with Voldemort gaining power and followers each day.
Harry looked through the door, glad that they could not see him, and watched their frightened faces. Some were even begining to weep. Something clicked inside Harry. If it was the last thing he would do, he would not let them cry any more. He didn't want anyone else to be hurt, not becuase they felt they could do nothing. Surely there was something some one could do... Something Harry could do.
Harry closed the door he had been watching through and stared intently at the wood grain in the door. He needed a plan. Harry decided right there and then that we would do something. He had defeated Voldemort before, and he could surely do it again.
Harry heard voices outside the room and figured that the meeting had ended. He stood and thought of Fudge again and opened the door. The Minister was sitting at a desk in a large and brightly lit room. Breathing hard and contorting his face to appear cheerful, Harry stepped through the door and out the Mirror. Fundge looked up.
"Ah! Harry! You've discovered how to work the 'Two Door'?" He smiled at Harry.
"Yes, but I don't understand what the 'two' has to do with it..." Harry took a seat in a vaccant chair.
"It's for the house elves. They can't read, as you might guess, but they know their numbers. They suggested the 'two' to help them remember which door went to other rooms. House elves are devilishly clever." Fudge chuckled. Harry silently agreed, remembering how Dobby had tried to hint to him what waited for him in his second year at Hogwarts some years back.
"Erm, sir? Professor Dumbledore said you wanted to see me?" Harry tried to look innocent, but his mind was still on the meeting he had stumbled across.
"Hm? Oh, yes!" Fudge laced his fingers together and leaned across the desk on his fore arms. "One of the Ministrates here had a suspision as to the whereabouts of your possesions." Harry felt his stomach leap. "She contacted Hagrid, and together, they found some things that might interest you. Care to see for yourself?"
"Yes, please!" Harry and the Minister took to the corridor and soon found themselves in a another room, smaller than Cornelius Fudge's office. The first person Harry recognized was Hagrid, looming over the few other people in the room like the Whomping Willow over the edge of Hogwarts grounds. He stood, speaking amicabley to a woman. Naera Vale. Harry smiled. Now he would be able to thank her properly.
"A team of Muggle Relations experts put together some information, gathered by Vale, and found some things that might interest you." Fudge motioned Harry to a corner where a dirty trunk sat on a small mound of soil.
"My things!" Harry rushed over and unlocked the trunk. The heads in the room turned to smile at Harry. Inside the trunk was all of this possesions, completely and one-hundred-percent as he had last left them.
"Where was it?" said Harry, pulling out his wand and giving it a swift flick.
"Buried in a hole on the Dursley's land plot." said a familiar voice. Harry looked up and smiled broadly.
"I never did thank you properly, Naera."
She shook her head. "It wont be neccessary, really. It was my job."
"But I truely am thankful. I just want you to know that." They shook hands, but Harry had strange desire to give her a hug. She seemed... well, sisterly enough. "Thank you."
"Harry, you should really be thanking Hagrid. Without his nifflers, we'd never have found it." Naera motioned for Hagrid to appraoch. He smiled through his long black whiskers and showed Harry the six leashes in his hand, which were attatched to six hyper nifflers.
"Mornin' Harry!" Hagrid nodded to the sixteen-year-old. Harry rushed into the half-giant's arms and hugged him. In a few more years, Harry bet he would be able to wrap his arms completely around Hagrid, but for now, he just couldn't do it.
"Thank you, Hagrid! You haven't any idea how much I've missed you and Hogwarts! With my things back, I can start my lessons!" Harry let go.
Hagrid looked suprised. "Aren't you a bit too old for hugging, Harry?"
"Not at all. You're older than me and you've hugged me before," said Harry, pulling a lock of hair out of his face.
Naera gasped.
"Is something wrong?" Harry turned to face her.
"N-no, it's just... you look like some one I went to school with. But that was a long time ago." She grinned. "Oh Harry, let me give you a trim, what do you say?"
Fudge looked as though he were stiffling a laugh. "Yes, Harry. I must say, you look like Snape with your hair growing out wildly like that."
Harry wrinkled his nose. "Well, I thought I looked like Sirius, but if everyone keeps insisting that I look like Professor Snape, then I suppose something must be done." With some reluctance, he nodded to Naera. "Alright, as long as you don't go too dramatic. Promise?"
She smiled. "Splendid! Have you a spare room, sir?" she asked Fudge.
After a few moments, Harry found himself in a well lit room with several comfortable looking chairs.
"Please, sit, Harry!" Naera seemed very excited as she pulled a comb out of her robe pocket. "I always carry a comb with me." She ran her fingers through her long black hair. "Just in case, you know? Can never be too careful!" Harry sat and she approached, running the comb through his hair breifly before taking out her wand. "Now, how short are we talking here? Just a few inches off? More? Less?"
"Just so no one makes the comment that I look like Snape ever again," sighed Harry.
She laughed pleasantly. "I see. Alright, hold still." With a whoosh of her wand, Harry felt a large lock of his hair fall onto his shoulders. "More off? Just right?" She handed him a mirror.
"Hey! That doesn't look too bad!" Harry moved his head so he could get a better view of his hair in the reflection. "Yeah, that's good. I like it."
"Oh good. I was afraid it would be too short, and that would take a nasty spell to lengthen it..." She took up the comb again and started with the rest of his hair. "Nice robe, by the way, Harry." She brushed some hair off his shoulders. "Lovely colours."
"It's Professor Dumbledore's robe. He loaned it to me earlier," said Harry. He had honestly forgotten he was still wearing it. He'd have to thank the Headmaster when he got back to shcool.
"Albus's? Goodness, no wonder it is so big!" Naera giggled softly. "Looks nice, anyway."
"Harry?"
Some one had poked their head in the doorway. Naera and Harry both turned to see their visitor. Sirius Black opened the door all the way and stood up straight.
"Hagrid said I might find you in here..." his voice was slow and deliberate. Something funny glimmered in his eye. What was it?
"Hello, Sirius. Just getting my hair cut..." Harry saw that Sirius was no longer acknowledging him, Sirius was staring at Naera. She was staring back.
No one moved or breathed. It was as if the air had been sucked from the room.
Sirius's vibrant chocolate eyes were locked on Naera's fluid mahogany ones.
Okay, yeah. More fishy things going on here!
Slycat: This is about as much as the mirror takes role in. Nothing more, really. We'll discuss Ginny in the NEXT chapter. She's not really disappointed, really. She's forming a plan. The job is boring... but I'll survive! Glad you care! You know what? I broke up with my boyfriend! *sniff* I thought we could still be friends... but he's being a jerk about it. So now I'm free to have Draco all to myself! :)
Arcee: Punish the Dursleys? I'll think about it! Any ideas on how I should do that?
Tarawen: Oh, there are lots of things odd here. *smirk* You'll just have to wait to fully recognize it! I was thinking of making Harry a little less selfless, but I don't know how that'll fit in with the rest of my story.... Oh! I got it! *tut tut tut* Selfish Harry... Share! *plan forms in Meisako's mind* Ooooh. I like!
TartaMegami: LOL! 'Plot hole'! Like my pun? I rather did. :) Guess what?! I must be a true fan! I ate toast... with catsup! It tasted like crunchy catsup... seeing how I hate catsup, this just shows my true devotion to the great Harry Potter. I can't tell you how much courage went into actually eating it....
Stargirl2004: I'm glad you like it! My mind is a bit strange so that would explain why my stories are!
EVERYONE: Thanks for reviewing! I'm very happy you all are liking it! When I was using my sister as a beta, she was completely useless (she doesn't like Harry Potter... at all.) I had to write these all with noooo help! I'm just happy everything is working out!
If you haven't got the movie, I feel sorry for you! I've had it for two days and I've seen it nine times! My family refuses to watch it with me because I quote the actors while they are speaking it! Yes, yes. I am a bit mad, but you know you love me! Come on! I am, after all, The Huggable Muggle.
Oooh! Go Neville!
"And finally, it takes a great deal of bravery to stand up to your enemies, but a great deal more to stand up to your friends. For this I award Neville Longbottom ten points. Assuming my calculations are correct, I believe a change of decorations is in order. Gryffindor wins the House Cup."
Okay, I'm done with my quoting!!
I have a new E-Mail: Slytherin_Angel@MostlySunny.com Please email me! :) I'd like that.