Harry Potter and the Power of Two
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Ch. 7 – Fate
The next week or so flew by for Harry. It didn't take him long to fall back into routine. Things were getting back to normal. He hadn't thought of Holly or visions for a while.
It wasn't until Transfiguration that something different happened.
The class had just finished taking down their notes for the day when Professor McGonagall spoke up. "I have two important announcements to make," she said. "Next week we will begin practical lessons, so be prepared." The students exchanged nervous glances at this. "Second, the headmaster has granted me permission to organize an after class club for students who wish to learn more advanced magic. I warn you however that this is not to be undertaken lightly. Those interested should meet me here after supper on Saturday."
Just then, the bell rang, cutting her short. The students all ran for the door.
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That evening, Harry and Ron sat in the Common Room playing a game of chess. Harry was still getting slaughtered, but he was improving.
Halfway through their second game, Hermione came down from her dormitory and stood beside the two boys. Each was so engrossed in the game that they didn't even notice her. Eventually, she cleared her throat loudly, breaking their concentration.
"Hi, Hermione," Ron said. "How long have you been standing there?"
"Long enough," she replied. "Harry, I need to talk to you."
"Just a minute, he said. "We're almost done this game."
But Hermione knew him too well. When he had lost, he'd get drawn into another game to prove the one before it was a fluke. "Harry, I need to talk now. It's important."
Harry raised his eyebrows at Ron, who just shrugged. "All right, I'm coming," he assured her.
Harry got up form his chair slowly. Hermione grabbed him by the arm and led him to a couple of chairs in a quiet corner of the room.
"What's this all about, Hermione?" he asked.
"Why are you avoiding Holly?" she asked.
"Huh? I'm not avoiding anybody," he said, but he knew it wasn't true. Ever since that incident on the first day of classes, he hadn't felt comfortable around Holly. There was something about her, something familiar, that crept him out. He wondered if his answer sounded as fake to Hermione as it did to him.
"Oh come on, Harry," she said. "We've known each other for five years now. I can tell when something's bothering you. Holly's up in our dorm crying because she thinks you hate her. And I refuse to believe that's true. So speak up, or I'll be forced to take drastic measures."
Harry sighed and looked around the Common Room taking in the students who were studying, playing, or just gossiping with each other.
"Ok, listen. Remember what I told you about having those visions when Holly and I touched?" Hermione nodded. "Well there's something about Holly that gives of the same sort of feeling as those visions did. It feels as if I know her from somewhere but don't remember meeting her. It's this feeling that's constantly tugging at the back of my mind. It feels as if there's something about me that she knows and I don't. it really creeps me out."
Harry took a deep breath and sat back in his chair. He was getting all worked up, which wasn't like him.
Hermione looked deep in thought. Finally she spoke up. "Ever since you told Ron and I about those visions, they've been bugging me too. I've been trying to work out what it could it all mean. But now I'm beginning to wonder if there's more to this than there seems." She paused briefly before going on. "You know, maybe it's not just coincidence that Holly's family moved to England."
Harry gave Hermione a sly grin. "Don't tell me that Hermione Granger, the master of knowledge and logic, believes in fate."
Hermione glared at him. "Come on, Harry. Before I came to Hogwarts, I had no idea that there was such thing as magic. Who's to say there aren't other forces at work in the universe that neither wizards nor Muggles know about."
"All right, I see your point," he said. "But what am I supposed to do in the meantime?"
"How about getting to know her better?" Hermione suggested.
Harry hesitated briefly before agreeing. He couldn't keep hiding from Holly forever.
"You'd better get some rest, Harry," Hermione said. "It's late and you've got to build your strength for McGonagall's club tomorrow."
Harry groaned loudly.
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Harry, Hermione, and Ron were making their way to McGonagall's classroom. Hermione had managed to drag the two boys along despite their protests, telling them it would be interesting.
When they arrived, they weren't surprised to see that there were very people. Standing in the corner was Holly. Harry looked away quickly because he still hadn't talked to her like he had promised Hermione.
There were also two people from Hufflepuff who he didn't know. He was glad to see that nobody from Slytherin had showed up. And three people from Ravenclaw, one of whom was Cho Chang. She wore a somber expression that Harry hadn't seen her without since the Triwizard Tournament. He figured her two friends had brought her along to try and get her mind off things.
Seeing her brought back memories of Cedric. At times Harry forgot he was gone. It was still hard to believe that Voldemort had returned to power. It was a bit unnerving because Voldemort had been back for two months and nobody had heard anything from him. Harry had to constantly remind himself that it wasn't a dream. He shivered involuntarily as he thought of those piercing red eyes.
Harry was jerked from his thoughts as professor McGonagall entered the room. She glanced around at the small amount of people in the room. She closed the door behind her and locked it magically. Then she turned around to face the students.
"In this club we will be studying Animagi," McGonagall said. At this a couple hands went up. "I am aware that we have studied what an Animagus is, but we will be learning how to become Animagi."
There was a bit of whispering among the students at this. Hermione gave Harry and Ron her famous "I told you so" look.
"Becoming an Animagus is a very difficult task to undergo," McGonagall said, "as the spell is cast without using a wand. Therefore, you will need to engrain the mechanics of the spell into your subconscious. Because the main reason Professor Dumbledore allowed this club is to allow certain students to move about unnoticed, I will be placing a silencing charm on all of you before you leave that won't permit you to discuss this club with anyone other than those in this currently in this room and Professor Dumbledore. We won't be starting to practice yet. However, next week I want you all to come back with an idea of the animal you want to change into."
McGonagall then performed the silencing charm on them and they were allowed to leave.
"Aren't you glad you came along?" Hermione asked.
"I suppose," Ron said, not wanting to admit she'd been right. "Do you have any idea what animal you're going to be?"
"I'm not sure," Hermione replied. "It's something that needs to be seriously considered."
Harry wasn't listening to his two friends. He was already thinking about what he was going to become. He knew what animal he wanted to change into. An animal that would be able to go almost anywhere without being noticed. He wondered if Hermione would come up with the same thing.
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So what'd you think. And there's no need to tell me that almost every other fifth year fic has them becoming Animagi and that it's not very original. But I will be putting my own little twist on it I hope.
Anyway I think 7 chapters is about time for a thank you section:
UniversalStar87: Thanks. I'm going to try and update faster from now on.
shduranni: Thanks. All I can say is maybe ^_^
steve: cliffhangers are the best part of writing.
Jessica Kelly: Thanks for your great comments. You're probably disappointed that I didn't have anything from Holly's POV this chapter, huh? Again all I can say is maybe.
Ts: I decided to leave out the letter cause it wasn't important. But this is getting harder to say; maybe. ^_^
evil spapple pie: don't worry, I will write more. I plan to finish it. And for the last time, maybe. ^_^
VyingQuill: Thanks and don't worry, I will.
Kate the Great: Thanks. His gifts actually took me forever to think up. It was the most difficult part so far I think.
Maddie: Thanks. I'm glad you liked it so much.
The Great Kelly the Great: Actually, I'm not sure what direction, if any this fic is going in concerning couples. But I'll keep it in mind.
Thanks again to all of you and keep reviewing to let me know what you think of this chapter. And that goes for all you who haven't reviewed yet either. ^_^ Well I gotta go. I have to get started on chapter 8.
Kero.