Harry Potter and the Hidden Truth
Chapter 5 What Happened?
On the way back to the Leaky Cauldron Hermione and Ron kept stealing glances at Harry. He had still yet to talk, and only watched the ground as he walked along side Mr. Weasley, who she noticed continued to speak with Harry as if nothing had happened. He was currently asking Harry about a muggle invention he had heard about. He couldn't remember the name, but he knew that it had a plug, which meant that it used electricity, so he was very fascinated by it. He told Harry that it was somehow used to clean carpets.
None of the other adults had said anything. Their eyes darted from one person to the next, as if they were expecting to be attacked at any moment. When they reached the wall, Mr. Fletcher opened it, and Mr. Weasley escorted Harry through with everyone else following. When they finally made it inside the pub, Hermione could not believe the number of people. She had never seen it this full. She wondered if perhaps the word got out that this is where they would be taking Harry.
Mrs. Figg went to talk to Tom at the bar, and was gone for a couple of minutes. Hermione searched the pub looking for the Weasley's, but she couldn't see any of them. When Mrs. Figg returned she informed the group that Mrs. Weasley had reserved a meeting room for them to use, and that she had sent word to Dumbledore.
Mrs. Figg lead the way back towards the meeting room, that Tom had indicated, deftly using her cane to knock the gawking crowds in the shins, causing them to move out of her way. Hermione noticed a few of them trying to touch Harry, as if to make sure he was real. However the adults still had him surrounded and none of them managed the task.
When they entered the room, Hermione noticed that all of the Weasley's were huddled around Dumbledore, all talking at the same time. However when they heard the door shut all eyes turned to the small entourage that had just entered.
"Albus, I wasn't aware that you were here already." Mrs. Figg said giving Dumbledore a small peck on the cheek.
Hermione noticed that Dumbledore didn't look much different than he normally did. He was wearing lilac robes, which she thought looked silly, considering he was thought by many to be the most powerful wizard in the world. But she guessed that was probably why he was wearing them, so as not to unnecessarily intimidate people.
Dumbledore peered over his half moon spectacle to take in the whole group. She noticed that his eyes stayed on Harry longer than anyone else. He seemed to be doing a mental evaluation of Harry's condition. He then turned his attention over to Mrs. Figg.
"I came as soon as Molly notified me of Mr. Potter's reappearance in Diagon Alley. The Weasley's have been trying to inform me of what took place, but I would like to hear it from you. But first…" he then turned to face Harry.
"Mr. Potter, I was very glad to hear that you are safe and back where you belong. You had a great many people concerned about your well-being." He then took Harry in his arms and gave him a small hug.
Hermione noticed that Harry's face was turning red as he looked into Dumbledore's eyes. "Thank you, sir. I'm sorry; I didn't mean to worry everyone." Harry said looking at the ground again.
"I'm sure you didn't Harry, but we do need you to tell us where you have been, and what took place earlier. But that can wait. I think we need to have a nice meal, and then I want Mrs. Pomfrey to check you over, and then we can discuss your summer." He placed his hand on Harry's shoulder, and led him over to an armchair near the back of the room.
"Why don't you rest here, while I go talk to Tom about some dinner." As he turned, he nodded to Sirius, and left the room. After he had left, everyone had circled Harry, and began talking to him at the same time. Hermione noticed that he looked a little scared and confused. Sirius must have sensed this as well, still in his dog form; he moved his way through them and stopped in front of Harry. He turned back towards the mass of people and growled. They quickly got the hint, and soon went to their own chairs, all the while still keeping a watch on Harry.
Dumbledore returned a few minutes later, followed by Tom and some of his staff carrying trays of food. They placed everything at the table, and quickly left. Dumbledore pointed his wand at the door, whispering a locking spell, before tuning back to the group.
"Now, we will not be disturbed. Sirius if you would." He said, glancing to the black dog sitting at Harry's feet.
A second later, the infamous betrayer of the Potter Family was embracing Harry. Hermione noticed that no one seemed at all surprised by his presence. Ron had told her that he and Molly had held a family meeting after Harry's disappearance, to bring the rest of the Weasley Family up to date on the happenings at Hogwarts, so this is why they all knew. And since the others in the group worked for Dumbledore, it only made sense that they too would know of Sirius' innocence.
Sirius had released Harry from his hug, and was now talking to him. He kept telling Harry how worried everyone was, and how great it was to have him back safely. During the exchanges, everyone else in the room tried not to watch. Sirius needed some time alone with Harry. They all made their way over to the table, and seated themselves for dinner, leaving Harry and Sirius in the corner. Hermione kept looking over at the two, and it looked like Sirius was doing all of the talking. After a few minutes, Sirius and Harry joined the rest of them at the table. The adults sat on one end of the table, with the children taking the other end.
They passed the time mostly with light conversation about Quidditch, and the shopping they had done, but no one mentioned the topics on everyone's mind. Where had Harry been during the holidays? And what happened in Diagon Alley?
After everyone had finished their meals, Dumbledore waved his wand at the door, and unlocked it.
"Perhaps it is time the children retire to their rooms for the night." He said looking to the end of the table. Turning to Harry, "Harry if you would, we need to speak with you."
Mrs. Weasley stood at this point, "Yes dears, perhaps you all should go to your rooms."
At this they all began to talk at once.
"But mum, Harry is back, and we haven't seen him all summer. Can't this wait until tomorrow?" Ron protested.
"No Ron this can't wait. Harry has been missing for two months now, and when he returns, strange things happened and someone was hurt. This is very serious and we need to take care of the matter now." Arthur said sternly. "Now, go up to your rooms, there will be plenty of time for you to talk to Harry on the train back to school."
Hermione and the rest of the Weasley's walked reluctantly upstairs, leaving only the adults and Harry in the room. At the top of the stairs, the twins went to their room, while Ginny went to her and Hermione's room. Ron motioned for Hermione to join him in his room. They both entered, and she shut the door.
When she turned around, Ron was pacing back and forth. "Ron, would you stop? You're making me nervous."
"Sorry." He said, sitting on the bed. "Hermione, What do you think happened earlier?"
Hermione walked over to the other bed, sitting opposite Ron. "I don't know. But what ever happened, it was scary."
Ron nodded his head in agreement. Just then they heard a noise at the window. Ron moved over to open the window, and a huge snowy owl flew in the window and perched on the back of the chair at the desk. They both knew this to be Harry's owl Hedwig.
"She must know that Harry is here." Ron said. "Hermione, do you know any way that we can hear what is going downstairs?"
"Well, there is a listening charm that we could place on the door to hear what is being said in the room, but we would have to listen at the door and any one around could hear also, and we would probably get caught." Hermione paused thinking for a moment. Soon her eyes lit up, "Wait one moment. I'll be right back."
Hermione left the room, quietly making her way back down the stairs, once she got to the door; she pulled her wand out of her pocket. She pointed it at the door, whispering a charm. She pocketed her wand, and retuned back to Ron's room. Once inside she locked the door with her wand. She then pointed her wand at the mirror on the wall, and whispered another charm.
"What are you doing?" Ron asked. "You know that you're not supposed to go magic during the holidays. You're going to get caught."
"Oh honestly Ron, The ministry can't tell that I'm doing magic."
"They knew that magic happened at Harry's house."
"That's a special case Ron. Harry is somewhat different. The Ministry has his house watched so that they can protect him. I do magic at home all of the time. How do you think I know all of the spells? They can't watch all of the students, so they tell us we are not supposed to do magic. But they can't stop us from doing it. Besides in Diagon Alley, it would be hard to tell exactly who did what spell."
"Oh," Ron said sheepishly, "so I could have been doing magic all of this time?"
"Probably not Ron, I doubt you mother would have allowed it."
"Yeah, you're probably right. So, what was that spell anyway?"
"I placed a spell on the door downstairs, and now we should be able to see and hear what is going on in the room. That is if I did the charms right. I read of the charm in a book at Hogwarts, but I have never used them before, so I'm not sure if it will work.'
They both turned their attention to the mirror, and waited. After a few moments their image in the mirror began to get blurry, and then it was replaced with the image of the room downstairs. Everyone had their attention turned to Harry, and no one was speaking.
Finally Dumbledore broke the silence, "Harry, is that all that you have to tell us.
Harry, who had been playing with his hands in his lap, looked up and nodded his head.
"Yes Sir. I think that is everything." He said.
"Very well. In light of this new information," he said addressing the whole table, "I think it would be best if we keep this to ourselves. Harry could be in more danger if this got out, and not just from Voldemort. Harry, Arabella is going to be the new DADA professor, and I would like to set up a time with you so that we can work with you. I will attend these classes, as will Remus and Sirius on occasion. Once again I am glad you're back. Now, why don't you go to your room, and get some rest."
Harry stood to leave. "Harry dear," Mrs. Weasley said, "Ron is in room 12, and you can share it with him." She said, giving Harry another hug.
"Thank you Mrs. Weasley."
"You're welcome Harry."
"Harry, I will contact you with the information about your new class, and congratulations on being named a prefect." Dumbledore said with a slight twinkle in his eyes.
"What? I'm a Prefect?"
"Yes you are Mr. Potter. We were waiting to give it to you on your return. If you hadn't returned before the start of term, it would have gone to someone else." Dumbledore rose from his seat and handed Harry a letter. "Harry here is your Hogwarts letter, and your Prefects badge. Your books for this term have already been purchased for you, and will be waiting for you in your dorm. Now go to bed Harry."
Harry left through the door. Hermione quickly muttered the counter charm at the mirror, and the door, and it went back to normal. She and Ron sat back down on the bed when they heard a knock at the door.
"Come in." Ron yelled.
The door creaked open, and in walked Harry.
When Harry first walked in the door, no one said anything. He closed the door, and stood there uncertain of what to do. He didn't look at Ron or Hermione, he kept his head down, was twisting his hands together.
After a few moments of silence, Hermione rose from the bed, and started towards Harry. He looked up, and she embraced him. She didn't know how long she had held him, but she knew it felt right, and after losing him once, she didn't want to let go.
Ron tapped Hermione on the shoulder, "Perhaps you should let him go now!"
Hermione blushed as she released Harry. Ron took Harry's hand, and pulled him into a hug, slapping him on the back, and telling him how everyone missed him.
"Sorry. I didn't mean to worry everyone." Harry said, and for the first time, looking them in the eyes.
"It's alright Harry, we all were just afraid something had happened to you. Where were you anyways?" asked Ron.
Harry looked at his two friends, before replying, "Where I was isn't important. I was never any place for too long."
"Did You-Know-Who have you? " Ron asked as Harry was shaking his head. "Oh, I thought maybe that the letter you received had been a portkey, that took you to him, because Dumbledore and Sirius are saying that you apperated from the house, but that is just plain silly, we can't apperate yet."
"Ron, if the letter had been a portkey, it would have disappeared with Harry, and besides it would not have taken his things with it," said Hermione. "Why don't you tell us what did happen Harry."
"Well," Harry began "you know that I received a letter right?" They both nodded their heads, "When I read the letter, I got scared. I was afraid that if I stayed at the Dursley's, and did nothing that you guys might be hurt. So I decided to leave. I thought that if I disappeared, and no one knew where I was that maybe Voldemort would forget about you guys, and focus on finding me, since I would be away from the protection of my family."
"But Harry, how did you get away from the Dursley's in the first place," asked Hermione.
"I'm not sure, but I think that I apperated. I don't know how, but ever since the end of the Triwizard Tournament, I have been able to do things that in the past I could not. Some of them without even knowing how, I just think it, and it happens. Dumbledore is going to have some of the teachers work with me, to learn what I can do, but I have been practicing, that's how I did that to Malfoy."
Ron and Hermione stared at Harry in disbelief. But if something like this was going to happen, then of course it would be Harry that it happened to. Harry just seemed to always be at the center of strange occurrences.
"Does Dumbledore know what is going on Harry," asked Hermione?
Harry thought about the question awhile before answering, "He didn't say if he does, but I think he knows more then he is letting on. He didn't seem at all surprised by what I told him, for that matter, none of them did."
"Do you have any idea why this has happened Harry," asked Ron?
"You have to promise me, that you will not tell anyone this. Dumbledore told me not tell anyone, but I'm going to need your help. I think all this has something to do with Hogwarts."
"What does Hogwarts have to do with this?"
"I'm not sure Ron, but," Harry paused, "I am an animagus, and I have more than one form."
"What forms can you take Harry," asked Hermione? "And I still don't understand what this has to do with Hogwarts."
"My forms are the Hogwarts house symbols, a Gryffindor lion, the Ravenclaw eagle, the Hufflepuff badger, and the Slytherin snake. I don't know what it means, but that's why I think it has something to do with Hogwarts."
"Harry, if you had read, "Hogwarts a History", you would know that the house mascots were the founders' animagus forms. Maybe this has something to do with them, and not the school itself."
"Maybe, but all I know right now, is that I am tired, and I am going to go to bed. We can talk about this more later."
"Ok, we have to be up early in the morning, to make it to the train on time." With that said, Hermione gave Harry one more hug, and left the room. She walked down the hall to the room that she was sharing with Ginny.
Harry pulled something from his pocket, and waved his hand over it. In an instant, his trunk enlarged to its full size. Harry opened it, and pulled some clothes from it. He headed into the loo to change. When he returned, he threw his clothes into the trunk, and crawled into bed.
"Goodnight Ron."
"Goodnight Harry," Ron said. "It's good to have you back."
"Thanks Ron. It's good to be back."