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Chapter 7 – The First Full Moon

Harry became quite used to seeing Professor Myfanwy in her dungeon lair over the next month. Therefore, it surprised him to walk into Defense Against the Dark Arts and see Professor Myfanwy seated behind the Professor's desk at the front of the room.  Harry wondered momentarily if anything had happened to Professor Lupin before realizing that the full moon had risen the night before and Professor Lupin was most likely recuperating from his transformation into a werewolf.

"Is Professor Lupin all right?"  Neville asked worriedly, also noticing the switch in Professors.

"He's fine." Professor Myfanwy responded, looking up and smiled reassuringly.  "Just rather tired.  Professor Lupin should be up and about tomorrow.  You've got a good start in creatures and curses now and we've moved along into magical artifacts.  The Headmaster also thought it would be beneficial for me to cover various talents and marks for distinguishing Dark Wizards, so we'll be covering Parseltongue as well as beginning light and dark amulets today." Harry swallowed uncomfortably and fidgeted slightly as Professor Myfanwy announced the topic of Parseltongue.   Harry, a Parselmouth himself, worried that Myfanwy would use him as an example but, as she began her lecture, he realized she didn't seem inclined to.

"Having the gift of Parseltongue is often considered the mark of a Dark Wizard.  Lord Voldemort, for example," Professor Myfanwy nodded, ignoring, or not noticing, the wince or soft gasps from most of the students.  "However, that's not always the case.  Parseltongue is merely a rare gift, nothing more.  Merlin himself had an assistant that was a Parselmouth and it was his study of this assistant that led him to create the Amulet of Achidnae."

Harry's attention shot forward and he saw Hermione quickly catch Ron's attention as well.  Hermione began flipping rapidly through her text, hand shooting into the air.  Professor Myfanwy stopped and called on her.

"Professor, the text says that the Amulet of Achidnae is a legend; not based in fact," Hermione noted, hoping, along with Harry and Ron that Professor Myfanwy would shed more light on the subject.

Professor Myfanwy nodded.  "I know, Hermione, and you've been misinformed.  I've taken it up with the author of your text a few times, but she refuses to change it without definite proof.  That proof would be the Amulet itself."  Professor Myfanwy set her text aside and moved to perch on the corner of her desk.  "There is so much romanticism surrounding the wizard Merlin that some wonder if he even really existed."

"Did he?" Harry asked quietly, watching Professor Myfanwy's reaction closely.  Professor Myfanwy considered her answer for a moment before responding.

"The question isn't whether Merlin existed, Harry.  We know he did.  The question is more how much of his story is fable and how much is lore?  I've seen the Amulet of Achidnae because the descendants of Merlin kept it in Gringotts before Voldemort's first rise to power.  During and after those dark times many things were secreted away for safekeeping and any mention of some objects, such as the Amulet of Achidnae, is very rare.  However, if you'll turn to page fifteen of your text you'll see a listing of the most common light and dark amulets in use today."

Harry felt a trickle of triumph accompanied by a breath of dread flow through him as the lesson returned back to its course.  Professor Myfanwy had seen the Amulet of Achidnae!  It really existed and if it did so did the Heir of Merlin.  And Voldemort wanted them both.

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Harry waited patiently for the rest of the class to file out and motioned Hermione and Ron to leave him behind before he approached Professor Myfanwy with his question.  Actually he thought of several questions to as her, but didn't yet trust the new teacher enough to tell her the reasons behind some of them and she would surely ask.  "Professor?" Harry asked tentatively.  "Would it be all right to visit Professor Lupin later?"

"Of course, Harry," she answered, looking up from gathering her books.  "I'm sure Moony would enjoy some company.  Since he's not up to eating in the Great Hall tonight, I was about to take dinner to him.  Would you like to join me?"

Harry quickly accepted the invitation.  "Then you'll need a guide into the Staff Wing."  Professor Myfanwy instructed.  "Take your things back to Gryffindor Tower then meet me in the Entrance Hall."

~*~

Ron and Hermione still hadn't returned to the Common Room when Harry climbed through the Portal to stow his school things before dinner.  Harry assumed they'd gone off to the library to study together before dinner.  It was something they'd fallen into the habit of doing this term and occasionally Harry joined them, but more often he used the time to write to Sirius or visit Hagrid.

"Have you seen Hermione?"  Ginny asked as Harry was climbing back out the Portrait hole.

"No, I haven't seen Hermione since class, but you could try the library.  She's probably there with Ron."

Ginny looked vexed for a moment, but quickly covered her feelings and cocked her head in curiosity.  "Going to visit Hagrid?"

Harry shook his head.  "Professor Lupin wasn't in class today.  I got permission to visit him tonight."

"Full moon."  Ginny nodded slowly.  "Is he in the Hospital Wing then?"

"No.  Professor Myfanwy said she'd take me to see him in the Staff Wing."

Ginny's eyes became troubled at the mention of Myfanwy.  Harry stilled, confused at her reaction.  "What's wrong, Gin?" he asked.

"It's nothing."  Ginny shook her head, suddenly turning away.  Harry reached out and gently grabbed her arm before she escaped.

"It's something to do with Myfanwy?" he asked quietly, lowering his voice so the rest of Gryffindor wouldn't hear them.  "Is there something wrong?"

"I don't know exactly."  Ginny replied, suddenly thoughtful.  "And it's not precisely wrong.  She just seems . . . haunted.  Unfinished almost."  Ginny snapped out of her thoughts and laughed, though Harry thought it sounded a trifle forced.  "I'm getting as paranoid as Mad-Eye Moody!" she pushed him lightly toward the exit.  "Sorry Harry.  Go have fun.  And don't tell the twins you're going into the Staff Wing," she grinned mischievously.  "They've been dying to get in there for years."

"If Ron and Hermione . . ." Harry began but Ginny cut him off gently with another soft push.

"I'll tell them where you've gone when they get back." she assured him.  Harry nodded, smiling once at Ginny before starting for the Entrance Hall.

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