Three Owls
Harry awoke with a start from his trouble less dream, to what sounded like the post arriving. The hands of his luminous alarm clock pointed to 7:30. Taking his time, he dressed and slowly made his way downstairs for breakfast. Dudley was parked in front of the wide screen television, his five chins wobbling as he munched continuously on carrot sticks, which there seemed to be an abundance of in the fridge. He seemed to have recovered from the shock he had received when his suitcase full of stolen chocolates had been discovered by his parents, and had now returned to his diet.
Harry was just helping himself to a handful of carrot sticks, when there was an impatient knocking on the door.
'Door.' Said Dudley, spraying Harry with bits of half-chewed carrot. Without complaining, Harry left, taking his time so he could finish his carrots. He opened the door, and to his surprise, found a very anxious Victor Krum on the doorstep. He looked very tired, as though he had been travelling for a long time.
'Vere is Hermoninny?' he questioned before Harry had a chance to display his astonishment. 'She is not at her home. Her parents said she was here.' It took Harry a while to let this unexpected information to sink in.
'Who's that?' said a voice from the stairs.
'Shhh!' Harry whispered to Krum. 'She's not here, but I'll talk to you in a minute. Just hide around here somewhere. I'll see you in a minute.' And before Krum had time to answer, Harry saw Uncle Vernon's face appear at the foot of the stairs and slammed the door in Krum's face.
'Who was that?' Demanded Uncle Vernon. Harry glared back, giving himself time to think of a good excuse. 'Answer me boy, now!' Shouted Vernon.
'I don't know.' Said Harry simply. 'I opened the door, and there was nobody there.' Uncle Vernon gave him a piercing stare. 'I expect it was someone messing round,' added Harry, to decrease his suspicion. Uncle Vernon turned around, and left, still looking as though he wasn't convinced.
Harry followed Uncle Vernon into the kitchen, but didn't sit down. 'I've finished my breakfast, Thanks.' Said Harry, trying to think of a good excuse to leave. Uncle Vernon swallowed his mouthful of carrot sticks quickly, and said in a loud booming voice:
'Oh no you don't, boy! Sit down and wait for your aunt. Where are your manners!'
Harry shrunk back into his seat. His concern for Hermione was making him weak and unable to resist. After what seemed like and hour, but had probably only been five minutes, Aunt Petunia's bony figure apeared in the doorway.
'There's no need to hang around when your not wanted.' Said Aunt Petunia stiffly in the direction of Harry. Thankfully, Harry leapt to his feet, and, trying to avoid Uncle Vernon's glare, made for the door. He waited for a couple of seconds until the Dursley's begun talking, and then opened the door silently. Krum was well hidden behind Aunt Petunia's perfectly trimmed box hedge, but as Harry opened the door, he looked up cautiously. "Vell, have you seen Hermoninny?" He asked before Harry had a chance to say
anything. His dark eyes looked full of concern. Harry sighed, and flopped down
onto the grass next to Krum. "I haven't heard from her all summer. I sent Hedwig to her, but Hedwig hasn't
returned. How did you get to England?" "I came here to see her. She invited me at the end of last year" A long silence
followed. Finally Krum said, "Vill you help me to look for her?" "Yes", said Harry, without any hesitation, "But I can't go now. I'll..." "Harry!" boomed Uncle Vernon's voice from the house" "I'll tell Professor Dumbledore," said Harry hurriedly. A window squeaked open upstairs. Harry shrank back against the hedge. "I have to go" Harry whispered.
"Who were you talking to?" said a curious voice behind him. Harry turned round
to see Dudley looking delighted. With a feeling of dread, he turned around to look
uneasily at Krum. But he was gone. He was trying not to show the relief on his
face. Instead he forced a laugh and swept past him going back into the house.
He went upstairs and flopped down on his bed.
Then he felt it rather than heard it. He felt shivers down his back. He sat up
sweating. The first thing he saw was that Hedwig was back. She hobbled onto
the windowsill, and fell over. She was lying unconscious, lifeless. Her eyes were
gently shut. Tied to her leg was a travel torn note - shredded and faded.
"Hedwig" Harry moaned, leaping towards his pet, running across the room. Her
wing twitched disconcertingly. Harry untied the message quickly, loosening it
from her leg.
Someone had obviously been trying to remove it, as her leg was raw and rubbed.
Putting the note to one side, Harry tenderly lifted Hedwig up and placed her in her
cage. He made sure she could reach the water from where she lay, and carefully
dripped a few solitary drops into her mouth. Blearily, Hedwig's eyes flickered
open, and she gave an appreciative hoot.
With a sigh of relief, Harry picked up the battered piece of parchment. He could
just make out Hermione's neat script on the lined paper.
Harry, I have to talk to you. I can't say everything in a letter. I'll be at your house, tomorrow, Wednesday. Be in your room at 11.00. Bye, Hermione.
But today was Saturday. What could have happened? Harry looked back at
Hedwig. She was pecking tentatively at some old vegetables. "What happened
Hedwig?" asked Harry, stroking her head absentmindedly. She pecked his finger
affectionately and gave a soft hoot.
Just then there was a rustling sound from the window, and another owl swept in.
It was large, brown and unfamiliar to Harry. It perched on top of Hedwig's cage.
Harry approached it, searching for a scrap of parchment tied to its leg. However
to its surprise, the owl flew forward as he approached it. The next second
Hermione was standing in his bedroom, looking very flushed. "Hermione" Harry
gasped, "you're an animagus".
Hermione sat down on his bed. Harry was still staring at her in astonishment.
"We have more important things to discuss - seriously". Harry continued staring
at her. "Harry -Voldermort is after you" "Hermione I KNOW!" he shouted. "It's a well known fact - of course he's after
me - Hermione - you're an animagus! Why didn't you tell me?" "Harry" said Hermione, gently "I'm not an animagus, I'll explain later. Seriously, Harry. When I say he's after you, I mean he's on his way.
Dumbledore put a charm on him to make him weaker - be on guard, Harry -
that's the reason why you're not already dead!" "I think you'd better explain to me what's been going on!" Harry said, making
himself comfortable on the bed. Hermione sat down cross-legged and cleared
her throat. Harry was surprised how much he'd missed Hermione, even though it had been
less than six weeks since he'd last seen her. But he supposed it was because
he had so little time to talk together at the end of last year.
"It started last Monday. I sent an owl to Viktor, asking him to come and stay with
me. "But Hermione" Harry interrupted "You don't have an owl" "Hold on Harry, I'm coming to that" said Hermione reassuringly, and relaxed
again. "Anyway, his reply was, well, strange. It said could I meet him at Diagon Alley on
Tuesday. So, I went down to London, like he said, but Harry! I saw him! You
Know Who, at least I think it was him. Wormtail was definitely there though -he
scuttled past me, as I walked into the Leaky Cauldron. Anyway, You Know Who
was talking to a bald man in muggle clothes. I couldn't see You Know Whose
face though. He was wearing a long hooded cloak, and he had his back to me!" Hermione paused for a moment to catch her breath. "Well, what did you do?" prompted Harry? "I sat down! At a table right next to theirs and listened..." Hermione gave a sly smile and explained the conversation she had overheard.
"But Hermione" Harry said, when she had finished. "How did they know he'd
apparate in Diagon Alley?" "I told you Harry, he would know that if an owl turned up at my house, the first
thing I'd do would be to send an owl to Krum, which I did. You Know Who then
intercepted it and edited my letter, so that Karcaroff would apparate in the Leaky
Cauldron, because he wants me Harry. Karcaroff needs my knowledge of spells,
so he can hide from You Know Who".
Harry looked baffled. He was too shocked for this information to sink in. Finally, he said "Hermione, I knew you were really clever, but you are simply the most amazing witch ever!" Hermione smiled, trying not to look too pleased with herself. "It wasn't only that - I mean, he knows something about me, something I have to explain. Harry, I've invented some spells!" This statement didn't have as much of an effect as she had hoped. "They haven't got names yet," She continued " But the one Karkaroff's after makes it more difficult for someone, for example Voldermort, to find the person who performs the charm, for example Karkaroff." Harry stared at her blankly. "Hermione," He groaned "Slow down!" "It doesn't work too well. Especially if you know who is a long way away, but it does help. That's why I've come to you Harry. You have to perform the charm! Mind you take care though Harry." She was talking very fast now. "I put an essence of the fideleous charm, in a perificus format, so mind that you do the merlins flick carefully." She took a deep breath. "WHAT?" Exclaimed Harry, astonished. "Hermione, I didn't understand a word you said!" "Ok, sorry, I forgot you don't know how to make spells. It's not that difficult. I really should show you how do make them!" Harry starred at Hermione in amazement, blinked, and they began work.
Several hours later they had still made no progress. "It's incredibly simple Harry. Just clear your mind!" Harry groaned. It was nearly as bad as before the First Challenge last November. Harry closed his eyes, the words flickering through his mind. "Discedo Tibi Totalus!" Harry shouted. There was a flash of white light, but instead of cheering, Hermione gasped. "Harry! I forgot! You're not allowed to do magic outside school!" Harry frowned. "And you are?" "Yes!" Hermione said, blushing slightly. "You know I had the time turner in our third year?" Harry's frown deepened. "Yes." He said curiously. "Well, I had to practice using it before I got it, so professor McGonagall cast a spell on me to prevent the ministry seeing when I used magic!" She giggled. "Hermione! Why didn't you tell me?" Said Harry, slightly indignant. "I don't know." Hermione said impatiently. "It didn't seem important." "Ok, so now I'm going to get an official warning again. Thanks Hermione, you just got me expelled." Harry said sarcastically. Hermione laughed. "Harry! I'm joking! The ministry is way to busy to worry about this. Anyway, my spell isn't registered. The ministry would only notice that half spells had been performed. They would just think it was a mistake. Nothing has happened to you yet, let's try again!" "Hermione, are you sure about this?" Said Harry, exhausted. "What? Harry you don't trust me at all. Let's try again."
Much later Hermione let out a squeal of delight. "I think you're finally getting this Harry!" Harry gave Hermione a weary smile and flopped onto the bed. "It's about time!" He chuckled. He was beginning to relax now. The shock of discovering Hermione in his bedroom was beginning to wear off. Suddenly there was a shout from downstairs. "HARRY! Get down here at once and help me prepare lunch!" Harry jolted back into reality. "Er. coming." He shouted vaguely back down the stairs. "Hermione! Quick what should we do?" "Relax Harry!" Hermione soothed. "Why don't you just come with me?" Harry gave a hollow laugh. "Easier said than done. Like the Dursleys would let me. I might have fun!" "Why is it difficult?" Hermione frowned. "Just walk out. Say you're going to my house. We can stay at the leaky cauldron, seeing as my parents think I'm staying at your house for the remainder of the holidays." Harry smiled. "Help me pack my things!"
Harry stumbled down the stairs. "You get in here at once!" Shrieked Aunt Petunia, pointing to the kitchen door. "I'm just popping out to see my godfather. He asked to visit him, he's getting worried you know, and he's ready to come if I need his help." Aunt Petunia opened her mouth to reply, horrified, but Harry didn't wait to hear it. He left, slamming the door behind him.
Harry awoke with a start from his trouble less dream, to what sounded like the post arriving. The hands of his luminous alarm clock pointed to 7:30. Taking his time, he dressed and slowly made his way downstairs for breakfast. Dudley was parked in front of the wide screen television, his five chins wobbling as he munched continuously on carrot sticks, which there seemed to be an abundance of in the fridge. He seemed to have recovered from the shock he had received when his suitcase full of stolen chocolates had been discovered by his parents, and had now returned to his diet.
Harry was just helping himself to a handful of carrot sticks, when there was an impatient knocking on the door.
'Door.' Said Dudley, spraying Harry with bits of half-chewed carrot. Without complaining, Harry left, taking his time so he could finish his carrots. He opened the door, and to his surprise, found a very anxious Victor Krum on the doorstep. He looked very tired, as though he had been travelling for a long time.
'Vere is Hermoninny?' he questioned before Harry had a chance to display his astonishment. 'She is not at her home. Her parents said she was here.' It took Harry a while to let this unexpected information to sink in.
'Who's that?' said a voice from the stairs.
'Shhh!' Harry whispered to Krum. 'She's not here, but I'll talk to you in a minute. Just hide around here somewhere. I'll see you in a minute.' And before Krum had time to answer, Harry saw Uncle Vernon's face appear at the foot of the stairs and slammed the door in Krum's face.
'Who was that?' Demanded Uncle Vernon. Harry glared back, giving himself time to think of a good excuse. 'Answer me boy, now!' Shouted Vernon.
'I don't know.' Said Harry simply. 'I opened the door, and there was nobody there.' Uncle Vernon gave him a piercing stare. 'I expect it was someone messing round,' added Harry, to decrease his suspicion. Uncle Vernon turned around, and left, still looking as though he wasn't convinced.
Harry followed Uncle Vernon into the kitchen, but didn't sit down. 'I've finished my breakfast, Thanks.' Said Harry, trying to think of a good excuse to leave. Uncle Vernon swallowed his mouthful of carrot sticks quickly, and said in a loud booming voice:
'Oh no you don't, boy! Sit down and wait for your aunt. Where are your manners!'
Harry shrunk back into his seat. His concern for Hermione was making him weak and unable to resist. After what seemed like and hour, but had probably only been five minutes, Aunt Petunia's bony figure apeared in the doorway.
'There's no need to hang around when your not wanted.' Said Aunt Petunia stiffly in the direction of Harry. Thankfully, Harry leapt to his feet, and, trying to avoid Uncle Vernon's glare, made for the door. He waited for a couple of seconds until the Dursley's begun talking, and then opened the door silently. Krum was well hidden behind Aunt Petunia's perfectly trimmed box hedge, but as Harry opened the door, he looked up cautiously. "Vell, have you seen Hermoninny?" He asked before Harry had a chance to say
anything. His dark eyes looked full of concern. Harry sighed, and flopped down
onto the grass next to Krum. "I haven't heard from her all summer. I sent Hedwig to her, but Hedwig hasn't
returned. How did you get to England?" "I came here to see her. She invited me at the end of last year" A long silence
followed. Finally Krum said, "Vill you help me to look for her?" "Yes", said Harry, without any hesitation, "But I can't go now. I'll..." "Harry!" boomed Uncle Vernon's voice from the house" "I'll tell Professor Dumbledore," said Harry hurriedly. A window squeaked open upstairs. Harry shrank back against the hedge. "I have to go" Harry whispered.
"Who were you talking to?" said a curious voice behind him. Harry turned round
to see Dudley looking delighted. With a feeling of dread, he turned around to look
uneasily at Krum. But he was gone. He was trying not to show the relief on his
face. Instead he forced a laugh and swept past him going back into the house.
He went upstairs and flopped down on his bed.
Then he felt it rather than heard it. He felt shivers down his back. He sat up
sweating. The first thing he saw was that Hedwig was back. She hobbled onto
the windowsill, and fell over. She was lying unconscious, lifeless. Her eyes were
gently shut. Tied to her leg was a travel torn note - shredded and faded.
"Hedwig" Harry moaned, leaping towards his pet, running across the room. Her
wing twitched disconcertingly. Harry untied the message quickly, loosening it
from her leg.
Someone had obviously been trying to remove it, as her leg was raw and rubbed.
Putting the note to one side, Harry tenderly lifted Hedwig up and placed her in her
cage. He made sure she could reach the water from where she lay, and carefully
dripped a few solitary drops into her mouth. Blearily, Hedwig's eyes flickered
open, and she gave an appreciative hoot.
With a sigh of relief, Harry picked up the battered piece of parchment. He could
just make out Hermione's neat script on the lined paper.
Harry, I have to talk to you. I can't say everything in a letter. I'll be at your house, tomorrow, Wednesday. Be in your room at 11.00. Bye, Hermione.
But today was Saturday. What could have happened? Harry looked back at
Hedwig. She was pecking tentatively at some old vegetables. "What happened
Hedwig?" asked Harry, stroking her head absentmindedly. She pecked his finger
affectionately and gave a soft hoot.
Just then there was a rustling sound from the window, and another owl swept in.
It was large, brown and unfamiliar to Harry. It perched on top of Hedwig's cage.
Harry approached it, searching for a scrap of parchment tied to its leg. However
to its surprise, the owl flew forward as he approached it. The next second
Hermione was standing in his bedroom, looking very flushed. "Hermione" Harry
gasped, "you're an animagus".
Hermione sat down on his bed. Harry was still staring at her in astonishment.
"We have more important things to discuss - seriously". Harry continued staring
at her. "Harry -Voldermort is after you" "Hermione I KNOW!" he shouted. "It's a well known fact - of course he's after
me - Hermione - you're an animagus! Why didn't you tell me?" "Harry" said Hermione, gently "I'm not an animagus, I'll explain later. Seriously, Harry. When I say he's after you, I mean he's on his way.
Dumbledore put a charm on him to make him weaker - be on guard, Harry -
that's the reason why you're not already dead!" "I think you'd better explain to me what's been going on!" Harry said, making
himself comfortable on the bed. Hermione sat down cross-legged and cleared
her throat. Harry was surprised how much he'd missed Hermione, even though it had been
less than six weeks since he'd last seen her. But he supposed it was because
he had so little time to talk together at the end of last year.
"It started last Monday. I sent an owl to Viktor, asking him to come and stay with
me. "But Hermione" Harry interrupted "You don't have an owl" "Hold on Harry, I'm coming to that" said Hermione reassuringly, and relaxed
again. "Anyway, his reply was, well, strange. It said could I meet him at Diagon Alley on
Tuesday. So, I went down to London, like he said, but Harry! I saw him! You
Know Who, at least I think it was him. Wormtail was definitely there though -he
scuttled past me, as I walked into the Leaky Cauldron. Anyway, You Know Who
was talking to a bald man in muggle clothes. I couldn't see You Know Whose
face though. He was wearing a long hooded cloak, and he had his back to me!" Hermione paused for a moment to catch her breath. "Well, what did you do?" prompted Harry? "I sat down! At a table right next to theirs and listened..." Hermione gave a sly smile and explained the conversation she had overheard.
"But Hermione" Harry said, when she had finished. "How did they know he'd
apparate in Diagon Alley?" "I told you Harry, he would know that if an owl turned up at my house, the first
thing I'd do would be to send an owl to Krum, which I did. You Know Who then
intercepted it and edited my letter, so that Karcaroff would apparate in the Leaky
Cauldron, because he wants me Harry. Karcaroff needs my knowledge of spells,
so he can hide from You Know Who".
Harry looked baffled. He was too shocked for this information to sink in. Finally, he said "Hermione, I knew you were really clever, but you are simply the most amazing witch ever!" Hermione smiled, trying not to look too pleased with herself. "It wasn't only that - I mean, he knows something about me, something I have to explain. Harry, I've invented some spells!" This statement didn't have as much of an effect as she had hoped. "They haven't got names yet," She continued " But the one Karkaroff's after makes it more difficult for someone, for example Voldermort, to find the person who performs the charm, for example Karkaroff." Harry stared at her blankly. "Hermione," He groaned "Slow down!" "It doesn't work too well. Especially if you know who is a long way away, but it does help. That's why I've come to you Harry. You have to perform the charm! Mind you take care though Harry." She was talking very fast now. "I put an essence of the fideleous charm, in a perificus format, so mind that you do the merlins flick carefully." She took a deep breath. "WHAT?" Exclaimed Harry, astonished. "Hermione, I didn't understand a word you said!" "Ok, sorry, I forgot you don't know how to make spells. It's not that difficult. I really should show you how do make them!" Harry starred at Hermione in amazement, blinked, and they began work.
Several hours later they had still made no progress. "It's incredibly simple Harry. Just clear your mind!" Harry groaned. It was nearly as bad as before the First Challenge last November. Harry closed his eyes, the words flickering through his mind. "Discedo Tibi Totalus!" Harry shouted. There was a flash of white light, but instead of cheering, Hermione gasped. "Harry! I forgot! You're not allowed to do magic outside school!" Harry frowned. "And you are?" "Yes!" Hermione said, blushing slightly. "You know I had the time turner in our third year?" Harry's frown deepened. "Yes." He said curiously. "Well, I had to practice using it before I got it, so professor McGonagall cast a spell on me to prevent the ministry seeing when I used magic!" She giggled. "Hermione! Why didn't you tell me?" Said Harry, slightly indignant. "I don't know." Hermione said impatiently. "It didn't seem important." "Ok, so now I'm going to get an official warning again. Thanks Hermione, you just got me expelled." Harry said sarcastically. Hermione laughed. "Harry! I'm joking! The ministry is way to busy to worry about this. Anyway, my spell isn't registered. The ministry would only notice that half spells had been performed. They would just think it was a mistake. Nothing has happened to you yet, let's try again!" "Hermione, are you sure about this?" Said Harry, exhausted. "What? Harry you don't trust me at all. Let's try again."
Much later Hermione let out a squeal of delight. "I think you're finally getting this Harry!" Harry gave Hermione a weary smile and flopped onto the bed. "It's about time!" He chuckled. He was beginning to relax now. The shock of discovering Hermione in his bedroom was beginning to wear off. Suddenly there was a shout from downstairs. "HARRY! Get down here at once and help me prepare lunch!" Harry jolted back into reality. "Er. coming." He shouted vaguely back down the stairs. "Hermione! Quick what should we do?" "Relax Harry!" Hermione soothed. "Why don't you just come with me?" Harry gave a hollow laugh. "Easier said than done. Like the Dursleys would let me. I might have fun!" "Why is it difficult?" Hermione frowned. "Just walk out. Say you're going to my house. We can stay at the leaky cauldron, seeing as my parents think I'm staying at your house for the remainder of the holidays." Harry smiled. "Help me pack my things!"
Harry stumbled down the stairs. "You get in here at once!" Shrieked Aunt Petunia, pointing to the kitchen door. "I'm just popping out to see my godfather. He asked to visit him, he's getting worried you know, and he's ready to come if I need his help." Aunt Petunia opened her mouth to reply, horrified, but Harry didn't wait to hear it. He left, slamming the door behind him.