Chapter 11: The Forgotten spell
Professor McGonagall stepped into the crowded office of Professor Dumbledore. Dumbledore standing behind his desk looking his age, facing all of the other tired Professors at this late hour. However there were a few people who were not among the teaching staff that were also there, Remus Lupin and Sirius Black
"Ah, Professor McGonagall you have arrived and I see you have brought the last two people that we are waiting for." glancing at Ron and Hermione standing behind her.
"Now that everyone is present we can begin our little meeting. First, Thank you all for coming on such a short notice and at such a late hour. I'm sure you are all aware of the events that took place this afternoon. Myself, Professor Snape, Ron, and Hermione have been helping me watch Harry during these last few months. We have all known that something was not right with Harry but I could not find a reason or cause for his disturbing behavior. To aid me in my search I placed a Seer at the top of Harry's bed canopy when his friends notified me that he was not sleeping well. Will you all please turn your attention to the wall behind you." As he said these words he released what looked like a snitch except it was not gold, it was clear and hovered above Dumbledore's desk before projecting a stream of light on the wall across the room. A few seconds later the small dot of light expanded to cover the entire wall. The rows of books that were once there were all replaced with an image of a sleeping Harry Potter, tossing and turning in his small twin size bed. Sound was than added and after a few seconds of listening everybody knew it was unmistakable Parseltongue. After a few minutes of listening to the sounds of Harry hissing and turning about he woke with a start, looked around and then went back to sleep to begin the cycle again.
"But what is he saying?" Asked Professor McGonagall.
"I sent a copy of this to a retired friend of mine who used to work for the Ministry of Magic in the Department of Conversion Languages. He spent two months translating this due to the little information available on the language. This is what he found." Immediately the hissing halted and was replaced by common words.
"You won't get away with this. They're watching me now, they're catching on…no you won't. He's not a fool, he sees, they'll stop you. I'll tell them everything…You won't, I'm not…I'm not…sick bastard…aaah." He woke with a start, looked around, wiped the sweat of his brow, laid back down and went back to sleep.
"So what in the hell is that rat face bastard doing to him!" Asked Ron abruptly. "If Harry can't tell us then we need…"
"Harry has told us everything we need to know. I've been keeping an eye on him since October, I admit that I did follow him to Hogsmeade when he went there before break, sat down and talked to him for a minute. Watched him buy his Christmas presents and just when I thought that there was really nothing wrong with him he dropped a few things right by the trail. When I got there I found a book on Ancient magic, marked Hermione next to some rather believable trick custards, marked Ron. When Ron and Hermione came to see me Christmas morning we had a long discussion and I gave them their gifts, but something that Harry said to me today rang a bell. Ancient, is the word that reminded me of this book." Referring to the book open flat on his desk. "He also said that Voldemort could defeat all my defenses to protect Harry with just one spell. I've been scanning this book all night and I think I've found the one he's been using. Before I tell you all, Sirius, can you tell me when you first saw anything suspicious in Harry's behavior, anything at all?"
Sirius paced franticly.
"Yes! I can't believe I didn't tell you before, I'm such an idiot."
"No need to state the obvious, Sirius." Snape said coldly.
Sirius was about to say something to him but stopped when an angry Dumbledore shouted.
"Stop! We Do Not Have Time For This Rubbish! Put your quarrels aside Now! Now, Sirius, you were saying."
"Ah…yes professor. The night before I dropped him off at the platform. He woke up calling me, said he had something important to tell me but couldn't remember what it was. That was almost 8 months ago." Dumbledore looked worried "Forgive me but I must give a quick history lesson. In year 1800 sa. (second age) The worst war, but unfortunately not the last, between the never ending struggle of good and evil. This war lasted so long because many wizards would unexpectedly joined the ranks of the dark wizards of Azerrath. We won only because of the great Merlin, who's courage gave him the strength to call out their dark leader Dukat in an open Dual and won. Later he found the cause of so much treason to be a very powerful spell
"It can't be!" Burst Sirius "It's not possible, that spell's only a myth!"
"I'm sorry Sirius but The Spell of Azerrath is real. It just hasn't been used in over a millennia."
"If I am correct and I'm almost certain that I am, all those wizards could never be cured." Said Snape.
"Yes, due to longevity of the incantations and ceremonies needed for the spells completion, there was never any way found that could reverse the effects, it was…permanent… after seven months or so." Dumbledore confirmed.
"But it's been eight!" Cried Ron.
"Yes. I fear that today, was Harry's last attempt to break free and tell someone."
"There must be a way!" Shouted Ron from the corner. "It sound just like the Imperius Curse, maybe something similar wou…"
"This spell works quite different than the Imperius Curse my dear boy. It makes the victim actually want to follow the casters orders. They are not aware that anything is wrong with them." Replied Dumbledore.
"But you can't just give up. We've got to think of something." Hermione said, joining the conversation.
"Don't worry, I have no intention of giving up. I've called the other teachers here tonight so that we might pull all our knowledge together to find a way to break this spell before Harry answers the call of his master. I felt like you two should understand what was going on, but now the teachers and I have some work to do before morning, and you two should get back to bed."
Ron was going to protest but the sound of Dumbledore's voice stopped him, and he and Hermione were ushered out of the room.
"That's just perfect, now we gotta sit here on our asses and do nothing." said Ron upset.
"Maybe we can do something. In the morning we can go to the library and do some research and see what might help. But until then, what you said is correct." said Hermione solemnly. They both walked slowly back to the common room and parted on the top of the staircase. Ron changed into his pajamas and lied down staring at the empty bed across his. He couldn't help but think it was empty because of him.