Chapter 33
"What in the world?" Ginny muttered hearing the horrible screams from the vicinity of the library. Ginny decided to check it out.
Ron and Hermione were interrupted from what they were doing by the horrible screams that came from the library. As they were in an empty classroom near it they decided to see if someone needed help.
Falcore turned the minute he heard the screams and raced towards where they were coming from. He had the vague feeling he knew those screams…
Alexander was blissfully unaware of what was going on as he was in Hogsmeade getting something to satisfy one of Rosalyn's cravings.
Andre heard the screams from the hospital wing and bolted in the middle of Pomphrey healing him.
Ginny arrived right behind Ron and Hermione. Ginny ran past them though to find Drake on the floor mouth open in a scream that was coming out as a rasp… he was holding his head so hard you'd think it would fall apart if he let go. Who knew maybe it would? He also appeared on the brink of insanity or something like it and Harry just stood there smiling malevolently, a huge ear to ear smile. An almost demonical smile… and then he laughed… he laughed like it was the funniest thing in the world… he laughed like he was the insane one.
"Drake!" Ginny yelled hoping to earn a response but all that happened was he looked up at her with his icy blue eyes that now seemed dead and let out another raspy scream.
Ron and Hermione couldn't believe the scene in front of them… Drake apparently going mad and Harry watching it and laughing like it was a party. They shook their heads in disbelief at the lack of life behind Drake's eyes when he looked up at Ginny.
Falcore ran in when the laughing started and got to the spot in time to see Drake's dead eyes…
[Sh… maybe it's time to deal with Harry…] Falcore thought rage flowing through him like the blood in his veins.
Andre could hear the laughing as he entered and wondered how someone could laugh at those horrid screams. And then he saw Harry and Drake and the dead eyes Drake was looking out with screaming raspy little noises and spitting out some blood likely from his throat he was yelling that hard.
Drake felt like his head was splitting in the middle. He was screaming and screaming and screaming and he couldn't stop it. He tried to look at everyone but all he saw was the day of his parents death and his life as a member of Black Death. He closed his eyes tight and tried to concentrate hard on something happy like Ginny but it was like that part of his memory was being ripped out or locked away and becoming more and more distant. Drake tried to snatch the memory one last time but it was lost the only memories he hooked onto were his days with Black Death and the day his parents died.
Harry laughed and laughed he was elated that he'd done what he was supposed to. He had conquered the great Drake… hah… Harry couldn't figure out why his master would want Drake though… Whatever he just did what the snake relayed to him.
"Harry!" Falcore yelled and Harry finally stopped laughing.
"What old man?" Harry asks.
"You do this?" Falcore demands.
"Of course." Harry rolls his eyes.
"What else can you do? Now that you're so mighty? Can you take me on? Well of course you can… but could you win? Not likely." Falcore says in a very arrogant tone.
Footsteps call Falcore's attention and he sees Alexander standing beside Andre catching up on what's happened and holding a Hogsmeade parcel.
"Well boy?" Falcore says.
"Of course I can win." Harry says.
"Heh, heh… without your pretty boy snake saying anything. I'll know when he does." Falcore says keeping the arrogant tone. "Oh and if he does talk and you listen I'll take him off… and you know what that means? Bye-bye left hand and adios advice."
"Come on old man you couldn't crunch a paper bag." Harry says.
"And your pale self can? Come on, show me what you got already, or are you scared. All talk no walk? Haven't got the stroke to face an heir of Merlin? COME ON BOY!" Falcore yells.
"Oh give it a rest you know Potter won't hurt you… His brain knows who you are it won't let him act me on the other hand I have only vague knowledge of you and would be glad to take you up on that offer." A voice says with a hard, cocky tone.
Falcore smiles at hearing the voice like this is what he'd wanted to happen all along. "A demonstration first Drake. Harry, *Falcore makes a bag appear in his hand and he crunches it* strike one." Falcore then points his hands at Harry and raises them and then Harry flies up to the high ceiling his eyes wide in terror. Drake smiles in amusement at the scene. "Strike two, you can't beat me floating in the air scared. *The snake tells Harry to call the bluff and pull his wand and Harry pulls his wand* Strike three, no snake." Falcore lowers his hands and Harry hits the ground being bound by ropes his left arm very heavily… even his fingers and palm are tied down only thing left is a big space where the snake is. Falcore walks up with a small crystal knife. "Now you like your hand don't you? Don't want me to cut it off? Well, your bracelet is stuck so I have to cut it off. You'll be glad I did. And yet you might drive yourself to attempting suicide like the fellow whose life you just ruined. And you know what right now I wouldn't care… well I would but I wouldn't show it. *Harry starts to thrash trying to beg to be let out but his mouth is gagged* Don't test me Harry! Get up let's go you lose and I get to take the snake you win and I'll be shocked."
"That's not fair." Drake says in his cocky tone. "He gets nothing you get his hand… he gets your surprise? Hah!"
"Shut up Drake." Falcore points a hand at Drake and he falls down unconscious. "Ok first one to lose consciousness loses." All of the binds leave Harry and he stands up. "Ready? *Harry says yes* Ok GO." Falcore yells stupefy dodging Harry's and Harry falls. "I WIN!"
"I can't believe what Falcore did last week, Rose. He was like a man possessed. If I wasn't there Harry would have bled to death." Alexander says shaking his head.
"I know you've told me 40 times!" Rosalyn snaps.
"Sorry. Ok I'll shut up I just hope no one does anything to me or he'd go psycho." Alexander says.
"Fine." Rosalyn says. "Just shut up."
"OK I got to go to the lab anyway we're gonna get the Snakesbane to work." Alexander says.
Harry had been snake (and left hand) free for a week but he wasn't quite back to normal. He still wanted to follow Voldemort but somehow he knew that was wrong. He wished someone would tell him what to do or give him his hand… either one would be fine it would beat being so confused… He now knew how Drake had felt.
Ginny was worse than anyone had seen her since Drake had been in a coma for a week and that was almost half a year ago, five months to be exact. Drake was horrible to her. He was horrible to anyone who tried to be friendly to him, but especially her for some reason no one could figure out except perhaps she reminded him of someone he especially hated. Either way no one knew why and she was all the worse for it.
Drake wondered what had happened the past five years but since he could find nothing after killing the American M.O.M. he didn't brood on it too much besides whatever it was couldn't be as fun as torturing all of these people who seemed to like him.
Alexander was nervous about the wedding and everything that had to happen after it. Especially with two babies coming instead of one like he'd thought. And Rosalyn was getting bigger and no matter what Alexander would say she kept thinking of herself with such terms as 'whale' and 'pig' and 'horrid in my wedding dress.' But what Alexander didn't like her calling herself was 'ugly' as he thought she was most beautiful thing on earth pregnant or not, and so he heavily reprimanded her when she'd call herself that. Alexander sighed and went back to checking what he had left to do to prepare for the wedding.
It was now a week and a half after the incident in the library and Harry was back to normal, well as normal as he could be under the circumstances. He had yet to get a prosthetic hand or let Alexander do anything with the stub where his hand used to be.
After Falcore had shouted 'I WIN!' like a mad man he'd bound Harry to the floor again and proceeded to trot over a maniacal smile on his face. He then procured the crystal knife again and sliced the Jeweled Snake in half down the middle Harry's hand came off with it and Harry screamed as loud as he could with the gag in his mouth Falcore just grabbed Harry's hand and the two halves of the Jeweled Snake and left.
Alexander noticed Harry's bleeding and quickly staunched it. He then said another spell which gave all but those who knew the illusion that Harry's hand was still there and created a temporary skin layer over to opening where the hand was cut off to prevent infection. Harry wished others would know of his hand being gone. He then thought of a way to make it so.
The next morning at breakfast, thanks to an 'anonymous tipster' sending a letter to Dean and Seamus, a rumor spread through Hogwarts of the library incident and Harry losing his hand a week and a half ago. Even people who could've sworn that they'd seen his hand now noticed that, no there was no hand there.
Alexander heard the story of the incident being whispered around in his classroom that day (Snape had to take off for a couple of weeks).
[Well, it's like Albus says… 'If it's a complete secret here, everybody knows.' Why am I not surprised?] Alexander thinks.
Alexander had taken Harry's hand from Falcore that night, without Falcore realizing it, and he had stored it in something to keep it useable in case Harry wanted it back.
It was in a clear glass case incased in a clear liquid that was also semi-solid. The hand was hooked up to five wires, ran by spells he'd learned in Africa while with Artemis, which acted as nerves.
This was very important in the region where Artemis lived because even though they had magic they mainly used their hands and if anyone's hand was lost to an accident or their arm somehow smashed and killed the local witchdoctor would use this process to 'fix' it.
The downside was that the arm or hand had to be removed and it would become more like a fancy prosthetic hand than their hand because of everything else that had to be done to the hand to assure the five wires could keep it going. In Harry's case it would be worse because of what Falcore did, and the Jeweled Snake too, they would have to take off up to the elbow too and substitute it with a totally prosthetic device because every nerve up to the elbow was lost dues to something the fang that stayed in the part of the arm still hooked released into the skin. Harry didn't even realize he was bleeding to death. If the wound opened again at night Harry wouldn't know he'd bled to death until he woke up dead… even if Ron found him first it'd be too late.
Alexander didn't want to think about death so he started thinking about the next Monday, March 17th, he and Rosalyn would be getting married. Oh what a day that would be… unknown to him a large smile crept across his face making people who'd been staring at him in his classroom, done with his long review questions, wonder why he was so happy.
The next Monday came and went and the wedding was beautiful (A/N: I'll write it out in an aside to this story and I mean this one not like the Percy and Penelope one…). Alexander and Rosalyn couldn't really take a honeymoon but that was ok to them. They had a nice wedding reception and a romantic evening and that was enough, besides Rosalyn was due in two months so she shouldn't have really traveled anyway.
Alexander had everything he could want, safety, he was going to be a father, Rosalyn, and best of all they would never be apart… ever. Never again. And that was all he could ever ask for… other than his friends and Drake to regain sanity. Alexander sighed a contented sigh that night as he got ready to go to sleep. He took the necklace with the ring on it off and looked at the crushed, dull band and the still shining sort of scratched diamond on it and then he looked down on his ring finger at the shining new wedding band and with a reflective glance of the night in the café he took the necklace and crushed band and tossed them into the garbage and, feeling as though he'd just gotten a weight off of his shoulders, whispered. "Out with the old, in with the new… To a new and better life and to a, hopefully, very happy future and family."
Drake tormented anyone and everyone for a month, he was nearly expelled for a beating he gave Malfoy for a remark about his parents. It was now deep in April and Drake was worse. He remembered no one except Harry and that was only because Harry is the one who locked his memories up. Drake was starting to want a happy memory, of his time before his parents were killed, or maybe he'd went good after he'd killed the Minister and pleaded innocent due to Imperius and led a good life. That was making Drake worse as he couldn't find a single memory he knew should be there like a Christmas with his parents or some girlfriend he had… Why didn't he know… he wanted to… he decided to go to the only person he knew… Harry Potter.
Harry had decided to just have his arm removed up to his elbow and he hadn't had it replaced although according to Alexander it was ready anytime he wanted it. The only thing was he didn't want it and it would be worthless soon. The wires only lasted so long without real nerves and Alexander couldn't spend his whole time looking after Harry's hand and fake forearm. He was very busy for next month.
"YOU!" Drake says loudly at Harry pinning him to a wall. "You're the only person I know. There has to be a reason… but that is yet another thing I don't remember. I'd like to have my memory again and you are the only one who can give it back… and you will or you will not get to your sixth year got me?"
"Yeah ok but I don't know how to do that. Sorry." Harry says shoving out of Drake's grasp and leaving.
"HEY! I'm not done with you!" Drake yells at him giving chase.
"Well I'm done with you." Harry says running off.
"Hmm… frontal lobe… memory… mmm… a clue to Drake's problem… it's all here. Emotional memory lock/trigger… it serves as a means to lock away someone's happy memories reverting him to his worst self… driving him insane or back to however bad he was if he was ever a dark wizard… wow… it's like a Dementor living in your head. Only it won't make you relive the memories it's just the only memories you have are ones that, in your right state of mind, you'd never want. Only way to cure… no known cure… dang. After 4 months the victim of the emotional memory lock/trigger will have his good memories lost forever. This is not good it's been two months… Well it'll have to wait for another month as I cant think of anything until after the twins are born… except getting Harry his hand which is gonna die soon if we don't hook it up to him. Man, he kicks himself everyday and you are no help, buddy. He doesn't need your extra 'punch in the face' while he keeps kicking himself for all he did when his mind wasn't his." Alexander says while researching Drake's problem with Falcore one day near the end of April.
"Well, sorry but he's ruined Drake." Falcore says.
"So?" Alexander says. "You ruined him… his hand anyway, Mr. I-win-so-I-take-his-hand-off-and-steal-it-not-caring-if-he-bleeds-to-death! And now even though he needs it he refuses getting his hand back and if he waits a week longer it is dead because I forgot to refresh the spells on the wires last time I was supposed to."
"FINE! Go man and leave me alone." Falcore says.
"Fine Falcore, goodbye." Alexander leaves.
"Alexander! Andre! Falcore! Dumbledore! Anyone! Come quick!" Artemis yells running into Hogwarts after a search of its forest for something that weekend.
"Huh? Artemis? What is it?" Alexander says confused as Artemis busts into his room.
"A Code Red… injury in forest… get everyone… especially Pomphrey… quick." Artemis says panting.
"Albus," Alexander calls into the fire after sprinkling some dust in it and Albus' head appears. "Code red… injury in forest… get everyone alerted to meet in great hall."
"Ok." Albus says and disappears.
"Big… huge… blood all over…" Artemis tries to explain while gathering his breath.
"Hush. We have to get to the Great Hall and you need your breath." Alexander says.
They get to the Great Hall and find Albus, Falcore, Andre, and Pomphrey there. Artemis leads them to the injured person.
"HAGRID!" Dumbledore exclaims seeing the fallen half-giant covered in blood.
"Dumbledore… Their gonna attack… all the beasts… soon… attack villages… had to warn yeh... Fang is in me hut… give 'im teh Harry. Everthin I own is in me hut… split it up to everyone on meh list…" Hagrid says struggling to breathe.
"Shh. Save your strength Hagrid… You'll be ok… we're going to help you." Alexander says.
"No I have teh get this out 'fore I die… The giants… they won't join… not all of 'em they want ter… stay out of it... they hate us wizards after the firs' war. Ok… tell everyone I'm sorry I didn' get teh see 'em this year…" Hagrid says struggling to take in enough breath and bleeding profusely. "Goodbye ev'ryone… bye…"
Alexander looks around his eyes full of rage. Albus is tearing up but he stands. Falcore is scanning the forest while silently cursing whoever did this to such a nice fellow. Andre, having really known Hagrid, turns and runs back towards Hogwarts with tears in his eyes.
"Today… a big man… big in heart… has been lost in the second war against Voldemort. He is one of the first four casualties suffered so far." Albus says to the small group in the forest. "We will honor him like the hero he was… and is… for his victory in gaining some of the giants to our side. He will be missed."
Albus turns towards his friend and floats him up with a spell while Madam Pomphrey cleans him up.
"Oh my… very well aimed wounds. A trained hunter did this no doubt. A clean slash through to his heart and across the major arteries of his neck and wrists. Oh… Gah… a stab to his aorta… in his back… like your wound Andre…" Pomphrey says. "Well he is ready let's go."
"Students… Wake up and report to the Great Hall immediately." The voice of McGonagall says in the dorms magically magnified.
"Huh?" Ron says sitting up groggily. "They've never woken us up before what happened?"
"I dunno… an attack maybe?" Harry says tiredly. "Well, whatever… EVERYBODY UP!"
Dean, Seamus, Neville, and Dean who were asleep shoot up.
"McGonagall ordered us to all get down to the Great Hall." Harry says. "Get dressed."
"What makes you boss Potter?" Drake says.
"This." Harry shows his perfects badge this being the first time he's used its authority all year.
"Fine." Drake says and everyone is soon with the other students in the Great Hall.
"Today, students, we have lost a great man… a friend to many hear though not all." Dumbledore starts looking over at the Slytherins at that last part. "He was a giant among men… in more ways than one…" Harry's eyes go wide at that part. "He helped bring some of a race that has hated us back to our side before he was brutally murdered. He was found today in the forest. His last request was to tell you all he's sorry he didn't get to see you this year. To Hagrid, the greatest groundskeeper and Care Of Magical Creatures teacher Hogwarts has ever seen."
As one, even the Slytherins, every student stands and raises their goblet in tribute to Hagrid.
"If you're ever faced with a giant… don't fear them… remember Hagrid… he was a half-giant and as nice as they come. Remember him if ever a thought of prejudice towards anyone or anything enters your mind. We are as strong as we are united as weak as we are divided. Dismissed… Harry, Ron, Hermione stay behind." Dumbledore finishes.
Harry, Ron, and Hermione go up the high table to Dumbledore.
"Yes?" Harry asks.
"Well Harry… on of his other last requests was that you take care of Fang and to split his stuff between the people on his list… that is… you, Ron, Hermione, and Andre. We will do that sometime later… after Hagrid's funeral… right now, it doesn't quite seem appropriate other than take care of Fang." Dumbledore says.
"Yes Professor. Thank you." Harry says and they leave.
"You want your memory Drake? Open your mouth!" Harry says cornering Drake one day in early May.
Drake does and gets a nasty potion poured down his throat.
"Ugh! Potter! What was that? Poison?" Drake says about to retch.
"No… it'll break that little color barrier thing that locks your good memories away. Just work through a hole in it and find your girlfriend memory and a memory of a fun time with your parents. Goodbye Drake." Harry says.
"Oh when will you two come out?" Rosalyn says to her belly. "Could you maybe make it soon?"
"Talking to yourself?" Alexander says jokingly walking in back from Hagrid's memorial.
"No… telling the twins to get here soon…" Rosalyn says.
"Oh… yeah… well it must be soon you're a week overdue." Alexander says.
"Eight days!" Rosalyn snaps.
"Eight days… well either way it's past time…" Alexander says.
"Oh I hope you're right." Rosalyn says trying to stand up and Alexander helps her.
"Alex…" Rosalyn says.
"Yes dear?" Alexander says.
"I think… I think… its time." Rosalyn says and Alexander just stares…