Harry Potter and the Curse of the Gypsy
Author's Note: Yeah! The end is near...only five more chapters to go after this one. I hope you've liked this story as much as I have...I will just be glad to get it done though, I am bogged down with stories and I am about to start a new story on fictionpress.net. If you like this story, you should really check out Tobias Dragonheart with the penname Megx.
Disclaimer: I do not own the Harry Potter series. That sucks, doesn't it?
Twenty-Five
The atmosphere around Hogwarts was unusually subdued as the news about Cory leaked out. Those people that had never liked Cory were tutting around the school shooting superior glances, and Lavender was telling anybody who would listen that she had 'seen' Cory's betrayal in the cards.
Ron was fuming. "Should have known from the beginning that she was working for You-Know-Who." He snorted. "Nobody can just suddenly turn nice."
"That's because she was trying to pry information about me out so she could send it down to her superiors." Harry turned to Ron. "That day we got attacked in Hogsmeade, do you realize how much she must have planned that? She probably led us right there...I'm sure she knew from the beginning about Remus and Sirius."
Hermione sighed and looked outside the window. "Do you think she'll do something drastic, Harry?" she said. "I mean, she wouldn't try and turn Sirius in, would she?"
"I don't know." Harry bit his lip. "Maybe. He'll have to be on closer guard from now on, anyway." He shook his head. "I don't think she will tell, though." He said finally. "I don't think so."
"I hope you're right." Hermione shook her head and glanced down at her watch. "Come on." She said. "Potions."
Harry moaned as he pulled himself out of the comfortable chair and swung his pack over his shoulder. It had been a week since the incident with Malfoy...he had served his detention the night before, which had consisted of cleaning exploded dungbombs from the third floor boys lavatory. He had already made a mental note to kill Fred and George.
They walked together down the corridors...Hermione and Ron shooting each other nervous glances and Harry trying his best to avoid the frequent stares. When they reached Snape's dungeon they sat at their usual table. A moment later Malfoy and his cronies walked in...Harry suppressed a grin. Thought Madam Pomfrey had been able to mend the tooth Harry had cracked and ease Draco's broken nose, two incredible shiners had spread over his eyes, a mark of Harry's fist.
Scowling, Malfoy dumped his things underneath his desk and swore at Harry under his breath so that Snape, standing at the front of the room with his back turned, could not hear.
"Today, we shall be making elementary truth potions." Snape said, finally turning. He pulled out a small, clear vial. "Can anybody tell me what this is?"
Harry raised his hand immediately...Hermione looked at him in shock. Harry never supplied information in potions. "What is it, Potter?"
"Veritaserum, sir." Harry said. "I believe you threatened me with it last year, if I'm not mistaken." Faint laughs echoed across the room, but were quickly stifled into coughs.
"Enough of your smart mouth, Potter." Snape said, pocketing the Veritaserum. He turned to the class. "Believe it or not, Potter got something right. That is Veritaserum. But it is far too advanced for you bunch of nitwits to attempt, so instead you will be preparing a simple Honesty Draught. Unlike the stronger truth potions, this draught can be fought...that is, if the secret is an important one. Lying about a color or number would be quite impossible, I assure you."
Harry absently copied notes from Snape's surprisingly short lecture. When they were set free to begin, he began preparing his cauldron. "This is actually not that hard." Harry said after a moment...his potion was bubbling over the fire. Ron snorted and Harry glanced over.
"Speak for yourself." He muttered. Harry made a face...Ron's potion had turned quite the unpleasant green and looked rather like stewed cabbage. Hermione glanced over at Harry and nodded.
"Well done...you're getting better."
"Yeah, but then again I had the gypsy helping me." He shook his head. "At least that's one thing she didn't screw me over with."
"Please refrain from social conversation in class." Snape said absently as he passed. "You will test the potion first as punishment."
Hermione shook her head at the nervous look on Harry's face. "Don't worry." She said. "This potion is nothing...a drop or two will wear off in five minutes and anything you don't want to tell you can prevent from saying...you won't be able to say anything else, but..."
"Help, Hermione!" Harry and Hermione glanced over...Neville's cauldron was frothing over and large clumps of some grayish matter were splattering over the side.
"Yech..." Harry scooted away as a particularly thick glob splashed near him. He saw a faint stream of smoke wafting from the material.
"Longbottom, can you do nothing?" Snape growled. "You added the Frog Spawn after the Essence of Belladonna, did you not?" Reluctantly Neville nodded.
Hissing, Snape waved his wand in the air. Three large rags came from the tip and he handed one apiece to Ron, Hermione, and Neville. "Clean it up." He barked. "Potter, a word?"
"Excuse me?" Harry said, confused.
"I said come over here." Snape sneered, pointing to his desk. With trepidation Harry followed.
"What is this?" He muttered.
"I would like to offer you a deal, Potter." Snape said, a dark smile on his face.
"Wh-what?"
"Five points for Gryffindor for every lie you manage to tell."
"WHAT?" Harry looked at Snape. "But...isn't that impossible?" he said.
"Nearly." Snape sneered. Harry thought for a moment and nodded.
"Sure." He said. He went back to his desk, where Ron, Hermione and Neville were still struggling to clean up the last bit of mess. With a glance at Snape Harry told his friends about the deal...Hermione was staring at him wide-eyed.
"But...but he wants you to fail?" Hermione said.
"I don't think so." Harry said. "You see, the potion is definitely right. Being able to withstand it is strength of character."
"So he wants you to make a fool of yourself, by you not being able to lie?" Ron said. He slapped himself on the forehead. "Of course he does, he's Snape."
"I guess it doesn't matter that I already feel like a complete idiot." Harry muttered. He glanced at the neon bubbles dancing in his cauldron. "But I can withstand Incendio. I can lie."
"But...that's not good either! He may think you did it wrong." Hermione said.
"We'll see." Harry snorted. "Maybe."
Fifteen minutes later, he was sitting on a stool in the front of the room. The vial of potion he had just made was ready...he tossed it back, feeling a strange slimy sensation going down his throat. He choked the last of it down and shook his head.
"Taste a treat, doesn't it Potter?" Snape said smugly. Harry smiled wryly. "Now, how shall we begin...what is your favorite color..."
"Scarlet." He answered immediately. Snape snorted.
"Typical Gryffindor. What is your birthday?"
Harry opened his mouth to say February third, but instead..."July thirty- first." Came out.
"Who are your best friends?"
Harry concentrated extremely hard this time. After a long moment he was able to say, in a forced tone, "Draco Malfoy and Professor Snape." He shivered. "That was unpleasant."
"Tell me about it." Snape appeared thoughtful. "Now Potter, who would you say is the most attractive girl in this classroom?"
'Hermione...but I can't say that!' Harry thought nervously as he struggled not to say it...she was his friend, for goodness sake. Finally he forced himself to say..."Professor Snape."
Everybody burst out into laughter. "Nice that you find me so attractive Potter, but I am more than willing to count that one as a lie. And let me see..." he smiled darkly. "What is your worst fear?"
"Dementors." He blurted. Draco and his cronies started laughing...they well remembered the times Harry had fainted in third year. He shot them a fierce look.
Snape smiled darkly. "Now...let me see...how would you describe your family?"
"Awful." He said, wincing. He wished Snape hadn't asked that one.
"Awful you say? My, do they not live up to the expectations of the great Harry Potter? What exactly do they do that is so horrible?"
Harry froze...he couldn't say it, he just couldn't...not with the Slytherins here...he kept it inside and quickly images began flashing through his mind...barred windows, half-cans of soup, and the cupboard...the darkness in the cupboard where he had spent ten years of his life...being locked in the cupboard for two weeks...they hated him...hated him...
He couldn't say...he couldn't say...Harry shivered and glanced up. The class was staring at him strangely. "I can't answer." He said meekly.
"You did." Snape said in a hissing voice. "You were talking."
Harry paled and got up quickly. "I believe that was two lies...ten points, sir."
The bell rang and Harry went to collect his things. Hermione and Ron were standing there...even knowing what he had been through they seemed pale to hear it. Neville was gaping at Harry, his eyes dark. Harry cursed loudly when his bag split open. Ron and Hermione knelt to help him but he waved them on...he didn't want to talk at the moment.
"Just go." He hissed. Reluctantly they all left and Harry was left alone. Finally, when he had scooped everything in his bag, he turned to Snape. "You just had to do that, didn't you?" Harry said loudly. Snape's eyes narrowed.
"Do what, Potter? Give you yet another chance to let all your fans feel sorry for you?"
"Yeah, just what I want. More people to feel sorry for me!" he yelled. "I don't mean to be rude, but how would you like people to stare at your damn forehead everywhere you went?"
"Potter, if you do not stop this instant..."
"I don't want this! None of it! Can't you just leave me alone, for a change? I'd like to have a normal life, just for a day!"
"Potter, I..."
"Listen, I've had enough! Will you just stop it?" Harry growled. Snape's eyes were viciously narrowed.
"Listen, Potter." Snape said icily. "I do not think it wise for you to try me. You are not the only one to grow up in less than natural circumstances."
"I know, I'm not that stupid." Harry said in irritation. "But I don't exactly want to be famous for it, do I? And what would you know..."
"You know what my half-sister is." Snape said. His voice was on the edge of a whisper. "Interesting, isn't it? She raised me herself...our mother died when we were four, bringing us here from Albania because the gypsies were dying. And now...now I'm expected to fight her, because she's trying to kill you."
"Everybody seems to be wanting to kill me these days." Harry hissed. "Lovely memory to have of a first girlfriend, isn't it?" Harry turned on his heel and left the room quickly. Anger clouded his mind and without thinking he went to his room. He threw his books down in the corner and jumped on the bed. So now people knew...so now people could make fun of him even more, like Malfoy, or feel sorry for him.
Harry only wished he didn't feel so sorry for himself.
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'You should have joined Voldemort...then you would not have this...none of this...'
"I could never become like them." Harry said to the darkness. "I am not his servant...not like her."
'She knew...she knew she would die if she tried to oppose him. Join him...do you want to suffer?'
"I won't." Harry said. "He can kill me...but I won't join him."
'Aren't we being brave?' the voice hissed. Harry rose his head to speak and froze suddenly. Hissed? Sleep left his head and he suddenly realized what he hadn't noticed in his sleep-dazed state...he had been speaking parseltongue.
"Where are you?" He said, jumping out of bed. Nothing answered. He dove under the bed and began digging through the covers. He turned to the cabinet and began rummaging around...suddenly something caught his eye. Something silvery was gleaming from behind something on the bottom shelf. He pulled aside the book that was there and saw it. Curled up, peering at him with beady eyes, was the snake...the same one that he had seen at the Starlight Festival.
'Do not...do not harm me...' the snake pleaded.
"And why not?" Harry said. "You've been threatening me..."
'Only at my master's orders...but she is gone. What have they done?'
Harry realized suddenly. Cory. She had been parseltongue. "She's been arrested. Get out." He said to the snake. It blinked at him for a moment before it quietly and quickly left the room. Harry sat down on his bed. He didn't see why he hadn't known. He glanced back as the snake moved through a crack in the wall.
She had been there from the beginning...the snake had said its master was at the Festival, and that was where Cory had been performing. It's master was a gypsy...so was Cory. Harry shivered...another lie.
He was through with Cory Johnson. He never wanted to hear her name again.
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Yah! Short chapter, I know, but I am busy! This chapter is mostly to deal with Cory leaving, and all that. I'm almost done with this story, only five chapters to go. I hope you like it!
Megx (PS-next chapter I will be having direct responses to my reviewers...okay? Great!)
Author's Note: Yeah! The end is near...only five more chapters to go after this one. I hope you've liked this story as much as I have...I will just be glad to get it done though, I am bogged down with stories and I am about to start a new story on fictionpress.net. If you like this story, you should really check out Tobias Dragonheart with the penname Megx.
Disclaimer: I do not own the Harry Potter series. That sucks, doesn't it?
Twenty-Five
The atmosphere around Hogwarts was unusually subdued as the news about Cory leaked out. Those people that had never liked Cory were tutting around the school shooting superior glances, and Lavender was telling anybody who would listen that she had 'seen' Cory's betrayal in the cards.
Ron was fuming. "Should have known from the beginning that she was working for You-Know-Who." He snorted. "Nobody can just suddenly turn nice."
"That's because she was trying to pry information about me out so she could send it down to her superiors." Harry turned to Ron. "That day we got attacked in Hogsmeade, do you realize how much she must have planned that? She probably led us right there...I'm sure she knew from the beginning about Remus and Sirius."
Hermione sighed and looked outside the window. "Do you think she'll do something drastic, Harry?" she said. "I mean, she wouldn't try and turn Sirius in, would she?"
"I don't know." Harry bit his lip. "Maybe. He'll have to be on closer guard from now on, anyway." He shook his head. "I don't think she will tell, though." He said finally. "I don't think so."
"I hope you're right." Hermione shook her head and glanced down at her watch. "Come on." She said. "Potions."
Harry moaned as he pulled himself out of the comfortable chair and swung his pack over his shoulder. It had been a week since the incident with Malfoy...he had served his detention the night before, which had consisted of cleaning exploded dungbombs from the third floor boys lavatory. He had already made a mental note to kill Fred and George.
They walked together down the corridors...Hermione and Ron shooting each other nervous glances and Harry trying his best to avoid the frequent stares. When they reached Snape's dungeon they sat at their usual table. A moment later Malfoy and his cronies walked in...Harry suppressed a grin. Thought Madam Pomfrey had been able to mend the tooth Harry had cracked and ease Draco's broken nose, two incredible shiners had spread over his eyes, a mark of Harry's fist.
Scowling, Malfoy dumped his things underneath his desk and swore at Harry under his breath so that Snape, standing at the front of the room with his back turned, could not hear.
"Today, we shall be making elementary truth potions." Snape said, finally turning. He pulled out a small, clear vial. "Can anybody tell me what this is?"
Harry raised his hand immediately...Hermione looked at him in shock. Harry never supplied information in potions. "What is it, Potter?"
"Veritaserum, sir." Harry said. "I believe you threatened me with it last year, if I'm not mistaken." Faint laughs echoed across the room, but were quickly stifled into coughs.
"Enough of your smart mouth, Potter." Snape said, pocketing the Veritaserum. He turned to the class. "Believe it or not, Potter got something right. That is Veritaserum. But it is far too advanced for you bunch of nitwits to attempt, so instead you will be preparing a simple Honesty Draught. Unlike the stronger truth potions, this draught can be fought...that is, if the secret is an important one. Lying about a color or number would be quite impossible, I assure you."
Harry absently copied notes from Snape's surprisingly short lecture. When they were set free to begin, he began preparing his cauldron. "This is actually not that hard." Harry said after a moment...his potion was bubbling over the fire. Ron snorted and Harry glanced over.
"Speak for yourself." He muttered. Harry made a face...Ron's potion had turned quite the unpleasant green and looked rather like stewed cabbage. Hermione glanced over at Harry and nodded.
"Well done...you're getting better."
"Yeah, but then again I had the gypsy helping me." He shook his head. "At least that's one thing she didn't screw me over with."
"Please refrain from social conversation in class." Snape said absently as he passed. "You will test the potion first as punishment."
Hermione shook her head at the nervous look on Harry's face. "Don't worry." She said. "This potion is nothing...a drop or two will wear off in five minutes and anything you don't want to tell you can prevent from saying...you won't be able to say anything else, but..."
"Help, Hermione!" Harry and Hermione glanced over...Neville's cauldron was frothing over and large clumps of some grayish matter were splattering over the side.
"Yech..." Harry scooted away as a particularly thick glob splashed near him. He saw a faint stream of smoke wafting from the material.
"Longbottom, can you do nothing?" Snape growled. "You added the Frog Spawn after the Essence of Belladonna, did you not?" Reluctantly Neville nodded.
Hissing, Snape waved his wand in the air. Three large rags came from the tip and he handed one apiece to Ron, Hermione, and Neville. "Clean it up." He barked. "Potter, a word?"
"Excuse me?" Harry said, confused.
"I said come over here." Snape sneered, pointing to his desk. With trepidation Harry followed.
"What is this?" He muttered.
"I would like to offer you a deal, Potter." Snape said, a dark smile on his face.
"Wh-what?"
"Five points for Gryffindor for every lie you manage to tell."
"WHAT?" Harry looked at Snape. "But...isn't that impossible?" he said.
"Nearly." Snape sneered. Harry thought for a moment and nodded.
"Sure." He said. He went back to his desk, where Ron, Hermione and Neville were still struggling to clean up the last bit of mess. With a glance at Snape Harry told his friends about the deal...Hermione was staring at him wide-eyed.
"But...but he wants you to fail?" Hermione said.
"I don't think so." Harry said. "You see, the potion is definitely right. Being able to withstand it is strength of character."
"So he wants you to make a fool of yourself, by you not being able to lie?" Ron said. He slapped himself on the forehead. "Of course he does, he's Snape."
"I guess it doesn't matter that I already feel like a complete idiot." Harry muttered. He glanced at the neon bubbles dancing in his cauldron. "But I can withstand Incendio. I can lie."
"But...that's not good either! He may think you did it wrong." Hermione said.
"We'll see." Harry snorted. "Maybe."
Fifteen minutes later, he was sitting on a stool in the front of the room. The vial of potion he had just made was ready...he tossed it back, feeling a strange slimy sensation going down his throat. He choked the last of it down and shook his head.
"Taste a treat, doesn't it Potter?" Snape said smugly. Harry smiled wryly. "Now, how shall we begin...what is your favorite color..."
"Scarlet." He answered immediately. Snape snorted.
"Typical Gryffindor. What is your birthday?"
Harry opened his mouth to say February third, but instead..."July thirty- first." Came out.
"Who are your best friends?"
Harry concentrated extremely hard this time. After a long moment he was able to say, in a forced tone, "Draco Malfoy and Professor Snape." He shivered. "That was unpleasant."
"Tell me about it." Snape appeared thoughtful. "Now Potter, who would you say is the most attractive girl in this classroom?"
'Hermione...but I can't say that!' Harry thought nervously as he struggled not to say it...she was his friend, for goodness sake. Finally he forced himself to say..."Professor Snape."
Everybody burst out into laughter. "Nice that you find me so attractive Potter, but I am more than willing to count that one as a lie. And let me see..." he smiled darkly. "What is your worst fear?"
"Dementors." He blurted. Draco and his cronies started laughing...they well remembered the times Harry had fainted in third year. He shot them a fierce look.
Snape smiled darkly. "Now...let me see...how would you describe your family?"
"Awful." He said, wincing. He wished Snape hadn't asked that one.
"Awful you say? My, do they not live up to the expectations of the great Harry Potter? What exactly do they do that is so horrible?"
Harry froze...he couldn't say it, he just couldn't...not with the Slytherins here...he kept it inside and quickly images began flashing through his mind...barred windows, half-cans of soup, and the cupboard...the darkness in the cupboard where he had spent ten years of his life...being locked in the cupboard for two weeks...they hated him...hated him...
He couldn't say...he couldn't say...Harry shivered and glanced up. The class was staring at him strangely. "I can't answer." He said meekly.
"You did." Snape said in a hissing voice. "You were talking."
Harry paled and got up quickly. "I believe that was two lies...ten points, sir."
The bell rang and Harry went to collect his things. Hermione and Ron were standing there...even knowing what he had been through they seemed pale to hear it. Neville was gaping at Harry, his eyes dark. Harry cursed loudly when his bag split open. Ron and Hermione knelt to help him but he waved them on...he didn't want to talk at the moment.
"Just go." He hissed. Reluctantly they all left and Harry was left alone. Finally, when he had scooped everything in his bag, he turned to Snape. "You just had to do that, didn't you?" Harry said loudly. Snape's eyes narrowed.
"Do what, Potter? Give you yet another chance to let all your fans feel sorry for you?"
"Yeah, just what I want. More people to feel sorry for me!" he yelled. "I don't mean to be rude, but how would you like people to stare at your damn forehead everywhere you went?"
"Potter, if you do not stop this instant..."
"I don't want this! None of it! Can't you just leave me alone, for a change? I'd like to have a normal life, just for a day!"
"Potter, I..."
"Listen, I've had enough! Will you just stop it?" Harry growled. Snape's eyes were viciously narrowed.
"Listen, Potter." Snape said icily. "I do not think it wise for you to try me. You are not the only one to grow up in less than natural circumstances."
"I know, I'm not that stupid." Harry said in irritation. "But I don't exactly want to be famous for it, do I? And what would you know..."
"You know what my half-sister is." Snape said. His voice was on the edge of a whisper. "Interesting, isn't it? She raised me herself...our mother died when we were four, bringing us here from Albania because the gypsies were dying. And now...now I'm expected to fight her, because she's trying to kill you."
"Everybody seems to be wanting to kill me these days." Harry hissed. "Lovely memory to have of a first girlfriend, isn't it?" Harry turned on his heel and left the room quickly. Anger clouded his mind and without thinking he went to his room. He threw his books down in the corner and jumped on the bed. So now people knew...so now people could make fun of him even more, like Malfoy, or feel sorry for him.
Harry only wished he didn't feel so sorry for himself.
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'You should have joined Voldemort...then you would not have this...none of this...'
"I could never become like them." Harry said to the darkness. "I am not his servant...not like her."
'She knew...she knew she would die if she tried to oppose him. Join him...do you want to suffer?'
"I won't." Harry said. "He can kill me...but I won't join him."
'Aren't we being brave?' the voice hissed. Harry rose his head to speak and froze suddenly. Hissed? Sleep left his head and he suddenly realized what he hadn't noticed in his sleep-dazed state...he had been speaking parseltongue.
"Where are you?" He said, jumping out of bed. Nothing answered. He dove under the bed and began digging through the covers. He turned to the cabinet and began rummaging around...suddenly something caught his eye. Something silvery was gleaming from behind something on the bottom shelf. He pulled aside the book that was there and saw it. Curled up, peering at him with beady eyes, was the snake...the same one that he had seen at the Starlight Festival.
'Do not...do not harm me...' the snake pleaded.
"And why not?" Harry said. "You've been threatening me..."
'Only at my master's orders...but she is gone. What have they done?'
Harry realized suddenly. Cory. She had been parseltongue. "She's been arrested. Get out." He said to the snake. It blinked at him for a moment before it quietly and quickly left the room. Harry sat down on his bed. He didn't see why he hadn't known. He glanced back as the snake moved through a crack in the wall.
She had been there from the beginning...the snake had said its master was at the Festival, and that was where Cory had been performing. It's master was a gypsy...so was Cory. Harry shivered...another lie.
He was through with Cory Johnson. He never wanted to hear her name again.
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Yah! Short chapter, I know, but I am busy! This chapter is mostly to deal with Cory leaving, and all that. I'm almost done with this story, only five chapters to go. I hope you like it!
Megx (PS-next chapter I will be having direct responses to my reviewers...okay? Great!)
