Disclaimer: I don't own any characters, things, or places you recognize from the Potter-verse.
CHAPTER EIGHT: Voices in the Night
"I will not sssay."
"Well, tell them thisss: they're wrong and I'm not ssscared of a ssstupid messsage."
"I will tell." The snake slithered off the bed and across the floor, and it then managed to squirm up the little table by the window and then out the window down the long wall, into the night. A few minutes later Ron came up.
He saw Harry's face. "What's the matter? What happened? Your face is all weird."
"When I came up there was a snake on the bed and it spoke to me." Harry told Ron of his conversation with the snake.
"I'm telling you, Harry, things are not looking very good for your future."
"Yeah, and lucky me I get to hear more about it in Divination on Monday. Trelawny's death predictions for me get awful annoying."
"Oh, that'll be fun. Are you going to mention this to Dumbledore?"
"I'm not sure. It was just one snake…"
"A snake who said someone wanted to kill you."
"Ron, we know someone's wanted me dead since before I can remember. I don't think I'll say anything yet. Besides the snake said 'doom' not 'death.' "
Ron shook his head, showing that he plainly thought Harry was crazy.
"Well, you can't say our first day back wasn't interesting." Harry closed his crimson hangings as Ron went over to his own bed to go to sleep. Soon sleep was upon him as well.
The next morning, as it was Saturday, Harry had intended to sleep in. Unfortunately he was woken early by Neville's whimpering. Groggily Harry sat up and reached for his glasses. "Wha'sa matter?" He pulled the hangings around his bed open. He saw the other boys poking their heads out curiously as well; that is except Neville who was standing by the door pointing at something near Harry's bed. It was a snake.
The snake somehow managed to slither up to Harry's bed. It began to speak and only Harry knew what was being said. "Harry Potter. Lisssten well," it said.
"What isss it?"
"Another messssage for you. Your fate hasss been sssealed. You can not essscape it," hissed the snake.
"Who has sent you?"
"I ssshall not tell."
"Fine, I have a message for whoever sssent you: they are wrong the only thing certain about my fate isss that no one decidesss it for me, but myssself."
"I ssshall deliver it," replied the snake.
With that the snake slithered out of the circular dorm and most likely down the stairs.
The other four boys were staring at Harry waiting for an explanation. Harry rolled over and pretended to go back to sleep. Eventually three of the boys got dressed and left, muttering. Ron however refused to budge. When they were gone he drew back Harry's curtains, and pulled back the covers and demand with his arms folded, "Harry what was all of that about?"
"The same thing as last night."
"Harry two nights in a row? This is not good. Most people forgot that you even speak Parseltoungue, Harry. This is not looking good." He shook his head.
"A night and a morning. Its not that big a deal, Ron."
"You, and You-Know-Who, are just about the only ones who can speak it. Snakes are considered a sign of evil, this won't keep quiet."
Harry ignored Ron's continuing remarks as he got dressed and went to the common room, Ron, dressed now too, was right at his heels.
"I was wondering where you two were," Hermione said as they came down. "The other boys from your dormitory looked upset…and confused."
"Another snake. Neville got up and saw it and woke up everyone in the room," Harry told them of the conversation.
"What do you mean by 'another snake,' has this happened before?"
"Last night one came."
"And you haven't told Dumbledore yet? You really should, or at least tell Sirius."
"No, I don't think so."
"Harry, if you don't I will. You know I will. Otherwise one of the boys will say something."
"I'm going to breakfast."
"Harry, come back here this is serious! If you're getting messages like that they ought to be stopped."
"Don't you see I have to respond? We know it has to be Voldemort sending them. He's basically the only other person around who can talk to snakes." The other two flinched as he said the name. Harry used this time to get up and walk quickly out.
"Harry," Ron ran and caught up to him, "What kind of snakes were these? The next one might be more than a messenger. Snakes are dangerous. You could get bitten and poisoned."
Harry sat down at the table and ignored everything Ron and Hermione kept furiously whispering to him. When he was done he went outside; Hermione and Ron were right behind him. He went over to the lake to see if there was any sign of the Giant Squid. There wasn't. Knowing that he couldn't keep running from them Harry turned around to face Ron and Hermione, they were still right behind him.
"Harry—"
"Fine! I'll write to Sirius," Harry said this, hating each word he spoke.
"Perfect, we've brought parchment, ink and a quill." Hermione handed them over after extracting them from a pocket of her robes.
"What made you bring these out?" asked Harry, unscrewing the bottle of ink.
"I grabbed them off the table when we followed you. Now, write."
Harry's quill was poised just an inch above the parchment and he stopped. "How did you know you'd catch up with me?"
"We didn't. We just figured that if you ran off into the forest or something we'd write the letter ourselves," Ron told him. "Write."
Harry sat down by a tree. He began, at last, to write:
Sirius, twice snakes came to me in my dorm then delivered a message. The first message was that my doom is getting closer. The second was that my fate is sealed, and I can't escape it. Just thought you should know. And I am staying out of trouble.
"Isn't that grammatically incorrect? Shouldn't it be 'messages'?"
"Hermione, blame the snake, not me. Come on, let's get Hedwig from the Owlery." Together, the three went back into the castle and climb seemingly endless stairs until they reached the Owlery. Harry found Hedwig and tied the letter to her leg. "Could you give this to Sirius for me?" Hedwig flew out the window. "Happy now?"
"Yep. Let's go see Hagrid, he said he'd like it if we stopped by for tea this week." So they went. The study occupied by the Defense Against the Dark Arts professor wasn't too far from the Owlery and as the three passes it, Renata came out.
"Hey! What's up you guys?"
"We were going down to have tea with Hagrid. Would you like to come?" Hermione asked brightly.
"Why not?" Together the four of them made their way back down to the grounds and to Hagrid's house. They knocked on the door. There was some loud barking.
"Back, Fang. Come on in!"
Pulling the door open Ron called, "Its us!"
They saw Hagrid trying to hold Fang, and still keep an eye on the dragon at the same time. "Would yeh like some tea, or san'wiches?" They all accepted the tea, but only Renata took the stoat sandwich that was offered to her; the others had already had far too much experience with Hagrid's cooking. She put it down after the first bite. "So how 'ave yer classes been? I know it's only been a day."
"Haven't been great, but it wasn't bad."
Hagrid peered closely at him. "Yeh sure yer okay, Harry?"
"Yeah, I'm fine. Nothing real out of the ordinary."
"Harry…" Ron and Hermione looked at him hard.
"Right," muttered Harry. He stroked Fang, slobbering on his robes, before speaking again in a resigned manner. "I've been visited by snakes twice since coming back here this year and they've given me messages saying that I'm doomed. Personally, I'd just as soon forget the whole business but these two…" Harry shook his head. "I want to wait and see where things go Hagrid but Ron and Hermione are insisting that I get everyone all upset. Hagrid what do you think? Should I tell Dumbledore?"
"Harry, why wouldn't yeh say summat to 'im? Dumbledore would only be looking out for yeh. He's a great man, Dumbledore is."
"Thanks Hagrid. I'll go talk to Dumbledore tomorrow. Do you want any help with the dragon?"
"Sure. I was just gonna take her outside ter play but if yeh could do that for me it'd be a big help. Madam Hooch wanted me to check over the Quidditch field before tryouts on Monday an' I wanna spend as much of tomorrow is I can with Mulberry." Hagrid got up and went out the door. The others got up and followed him, the dragon following behind. Fang stayed inside, preferring to stay as far away from Mulberry as was possible.
When Hagrid was out of earshot. Ron began to talk, "You won't listen to us but you'll listen to Hagrid."
"At least he told you guys, I didn't even hear any of this," Renata said.
"Well I wanted a second opinion—er, third opinion. I haven't said anything to anybody but you three, Hagrid, and Sirius."
"Another thing, you're a Parseltongue?" Renata asked disbelievingly.
"Lots of people knew that, but most forgot. I think."
"Like how many?"
"Oh, everyone who attended Professor Lockhart's dueling lesson who thinks that I told a snake to attack a kid…and everyone who happened to read a certain issue of the Daily Prophet last year." Harry looked around for Mulberry. She was nowhere to be seen. "Wait! The dragon is missing!"
"What?" They all searched frantically until Hermione found a sign.
"Dragon tracks…Leading into the…the forest," she said faintly. Harry had been in the forest twice. Ron and Hermione had been inside, too. None of them wanted to go back.
"Well? Why are we waiting? We should go in after her before she gets too far," Renata said irritably taking a few steps.
"NO!!!"
Renata turned around. "Why not?" She asked as though walking into a forest full of dangerous creatures was perfectly reasonable.
"Huge six foot tall spiders!" Ron shuddered.
"Yeah, right. Like I'll believe that." She began to walk.
"We met them!"
"Wow. One reason. Obviously you went in and came out alive." She continued until she was out of sight because of a bend in the path. As nothing else could be done, they dove in after her. She was waiting around the first bend with her arms crossed in front of her. "I knew you would come."
They found Mulberry a short distance further along. But they found something else too. A small fire. At first they figured it had been started by the dragon. Then the students noticed the arrangement of the sticks. It was a campfire. Someone was in the forest. Prints of shoed feet led off the trail. Feeling that they shouldn't stay, they all turned around to go. Except Renata; she kept walking forward. In the end Harry and Ron each grabbed one of her arms and pulled her backwards out of the forest. Hermione put a leashing spell on Mulberry to lead her out of the forest as well.
When they came out they were silent for a time until Renata spoke, "Something was watching us. It was calling me. Couldn't you feel it?" She looked as though half in a daze.
"I didn't feel anything," Hermione said softly but clearly.
"Not me."
"Or me."
They waited until they saw Hagrid arrive. "Quidditch field is in top shape. How was Mulberry?"
"Fine. When does she have to go?" Harry asked.
"Tomorrow night someone is coming to pick her up. Less likely ter be seen flying by the Muggles. I'm gonna miss 'er!" He began to sob.
"Its okay, Hagrid. Want us to be down here?"
"You lot shouldn' be outta the castle at night. Liable to get hurt."
Hermione released the leashing spell and Hagrid scooped up Mulberry in his arms. They all said goodbye and the students headed back to the castle.
Renata seemed to have regained her usual high spirits. "So when do I get to find out how to get out of the castle? The three of you must have plenty of exists. And I want one the caretaker doesn't know about."
"There're only two he doesn't know about and why should we tell you?"
"If you don't I'll find them myself or ask someone else, Fred and George must know some. 'Bye, to all three of you I'm gonna finish up my homework." They all said goodbye and the three of them went over and sat by the lake.
"Which exit should I use, the one to Honeydukes or the one to the Shrieking Shack?"
"I don't know. Wait. What do you mean 'which exit'?"
"I'm going to show her a way out of the castle." Ron looked at Harry as though he was crazy. Harry started again, "Look, you can tell she's going to keep hanging around us so she'll probably find them out anyway."
"Isn't that even more of a reason not to tell her?" asked Ron.
Harry didn't answer.
Hermione spoke, "In order for the Shrieking Shack one to be worth anything you would need to have one of its doors or windows opened so you can get out. But its safer than Honeydukes, there you have to make sure the owners don't find you."
"What about my invisibility cloak? We're the only students who know about it but we can't get rid of her anyway and I don't want to be caught. Should I use it?"
"That one is up to you. Out of everyone, who knows about it?"
"You, me, Hermione, Dumbledore, Hagrid, Snape, Lupin, and Sirius. I think that's it. Should I?"
"Better not risk getting in trouble."
"You're right. But I still don't know which to take her to."
"You could go early and open a back door or window so you could leave the Shrieking Shack when you get there."
"It makes the most sense. I've got a couple hours before dinner. I can go now."
"Don't you mean 'we?' I bet the cloak can still cover the three of us."
"Let's go in and find out." Together the three went back up to Gryffindor Tower. Up in the dorm Harry took out the Invisibility Cloak from the bottom of his trunk. He had inherited it from his father. Ron came up. The two of the draped the cloak over themselves and were suddenly unable to be seen at all anymore. There was still even extra room for another person, at least, a small one.
Harry grabbed his bag and put the cloak in. He then took something else from his trunk. It was a seemingly blank piece of parchment. Harry put that in his bag too. Harry and Ron left and went down the stairs. Hermione was waiting. Together they continued through the castle until they reached the out of order girls bathroom on one of the lower floors. The three of them slipped in quietly. Once there, Harry and Ron put the invisibility cloak around them. It would seem suspicious to have three students go out to the Whomping Willow. This way they could get out of the castle without attracting too much attention. The three of them left. When they got down to the door leading outside. They all walked as fast as possible to the far side of the grounds where the Whomping Willow tree was. As usual it was thrashing about angrily. Hermione, who had been under the cloak as well since they came outside, got out and found a branch nearby. She touched one of the tree's knots with the end of the branch; all the trees limbs froze as if they were marble, the three of them climbed in through a crack in the tree's base and the braches began to swing violently again.
The three crept along the tunnel just long enough to be able to stand. Then Harry took out his wand and muttered "Lumos!" Hermione and Ron followed suit and on the ends of all three wands were softly glowing lights. They continued down the passage. Eventually they came to steps rising gently. They came to a door and with a bit of force it opened. They were in the Shrieking Shack, supposedly the most haunted building in all Britain. Apparently no one had been in here since Lupin had come back the night after they met Sirius there in their third year. They looked around. Eventually they did find a back door. None of them had spoke, it was a strange feeling, being inside a deserted house. When they found the door they couldn't get it open by force. Finally Hermione used a charm, "Alohomora." It was no longer locked but it still didn't open. They gave up and sat down.
"I reckon there was another spell put on the door to keep people from coming in. Fred and George never made it through the front."
"Probably, le me try again," Hermione stood up and walked over to the door, and then she gave the door a hard and concentrated kick. It opened.
"How did you do that?"
"A couple summers ago I took self-defense lessons."
"Let's go outside, and take a look around." They all got up and went outside, it was starting to get a little dark. "What time is it?"
"Probably 7:30 almost."
"I think we should get back then."
"Its cold can't we go into the village and get a butterbeer?"
"All right." The three went down to the village. While Hermione got drinks Harry and Ron chose a table. "Harry, I forgot to show you this really rare card I got from the Chocolate Frog on the train—"
At that moment Hermione came to the table. "We better finish these fast, it's getting late and we have to be to the castle before curfew."
"We've got the cloak will be fine." They finished and got up to leave. They left the town and went up the hill to the Shrieking Shack and went in. "Come on. Let's get back." They shut the door behind them and continued through the tunnel until they reached the exit. Curiously enough the branches weren't moving, they took advantage of that and climbed out quickly and backed away. Crookshanks had been waiting there and he managed to dart through the limbs to press the knot for them. They slipped the cloak about the three of them and began to walk back to the school. Just as they were approaching the great doors one swung open and someone stepped out.
Ron whispered, "She's on my Frog card."
"That's my neighbor."
Hermione stomped on both of their feet and they stifled moans. "Shut-up you two."
The figure that had come from the castle turned to where they were and spoke in their direction even though she could not see them. "I know that you are here, whoever you are that is. I can wait." She sat down on the grass. She pulled her knees close and wrapped her arms around them. And wait she did.
It was almost twenty minutes later before anyone moved. Renata came out of the castle, her spirits bright as usual. "Bella? Bella? Bella! What are you doing here? My mom didn't tell me you were coming! You haven't been to see us in ages."
The woman stood to give Renata a hug, "I had a meeting today. Your mom didn't know ahead of time."
"Why were you sitting out here?"
"I know there are other people out here but I can't see them."
"Bella, that's just lurking instincts from your old job. Are you coming in?"
"No, I really must be going; I'm on my way out. Suppose a Muggle stopped by the house and wondered how it was that they never saw me leave but I'm not there now. Goodbye, I'll see you soon Renata." With that she strode off into the distance. Renata watched with admiration. She then turned to go back to the castle. Still under the Invisibility Cloak, Harry, Ron, and Hermione followed. Renata turned. "I can hear your footsteps, who's there?" Harry and the two hiding with him just went up the stairs as fast as they could; which wasn't very fast because they all had to move together. Quietly, Renata followed sound and came up behind them; she yanked the cloak off before they could do anything. "I knew it!"
"Renata be quiet or someone will hear you!" whispered Harry.
"Let's go to the tower. Renata, we'll explain up there. We'll be right behind you just keep the portrait open long enough for us to come through."
"Okay but when we get there the three of you are going to tell me what you were up to." The four of the made it back to the tower and into the common room. It was nearly deserted; the only people in there were the Creevy brothers who, went up to bed just after they came in. At last Harry pulled the cloak off. "We went down to Hogsmeadee. Then we came back up here and we saw Mrs. Figg. She could tell we were there so we waited until she was gone and then in the castle you found us."
"Interesting," Renata commented thoughtfully.
Hermione looked over to Harry and said, "What did you mean earlier when you sad that woman was your neighbor?"
"I meant what I said. I used to have to stay with her when the Dursleys had to go anywhere, they didn't trust me without a babysitter; they figured I might burn down the house or blowup something. She never said she was a witch."
"A babysitter, Harry?" grinned Renata.
"When I was younger," he muttered. He didn't mention that younger wasn't all that many years ago. "Ron, let me see that Chocolate Frog card."
Ron took it out of his pocket and handed it over. Harry read, " 'Arabella Figg is one of the best known witches of our time. A number of years ago she served as an Auror. She specializes in protection spells and is currently holding the task of guarding the Book of Ever. Her hobbies include raising Kneazles and half-Kneazles and reading Muggle newspapers from different parts of the world. Arabella resides now in a Muggle community in England. Her exact location cannot be revealed as a caution to herself and what she guards.' That's all there is. I didn't know any of this."
"Bella? She's been my mom's friend for years. When my mom wouldn't talk to anyone she talked to her. Bella really helped after my dad's death. She's a widow too and knows how hard it is. I had no idea she was still in England."
"Do any of you know what the Book of Ever is? I've never heard of it," Harry asked frowning
"Hermione, was it in Hogwarts, A History?"
"Aren't you two ever going to read it?"
"Not when we can just ask you."
"No it was not in Hogwarts, A History. Or any of the other books I've read."
"First thing tomorrow I'm going to the library," Harry sighed. "Or should I just go now?"
"How can you go now?" Renata inquired curiously.
"By not being seen. But we don't know that we'll have to be that extreme, it might be with the rest of the books in the library. Somewhere." The library at Hogwarts was very extensive. To find something you had to know what you were looking for so you knew where to look.
"Harry, first thing in the morning you're talking to Dumbledore about those snakes."
"He doesn't need to know. I told Sirius, isn't that enough?"
"No. Sirius will say something to him anyway."
"Oh, did I forget to tell you? The three of you have a meeting with him tomorrow, 11 o'clock. My mom told me to pass on the message. Well, good night." Renata went upstairs without another word.
"I guess I have no choice about talking to him." Harry stormed off to bed. Sleep came uneasily that night. Visions of who probably sent the snakes kept appearing in his mind's eye. The man had red eyes, a cold, high voice …
The next morning Harry woke up earlier than he normally would have on a Sunday. He got dressed and began to head down to the library before anyone knew he was awake. He had his invisibility cloak in case it was needed. As Harry turned the final corner to go, he heard footsteps behind him.
"Potter what are you doing here?" It was the hook-nosed, greasy haired potions master, Professor Severus Snape.
"I—er—I just wanted to get some extra work done in the library before it got too crowded this morning."
"In that case," Snape said, "if you're so interested in extra work you can write me an essay on bezoars. Three rolls of parchment. Have it by tomorrow, Potter." Snape smiled maliciously and left.
Harry went on his way to the library seriously hoping Snape would trip and break both legs. He reached the library. Just as Madam Pince, the librarian arrived. "What are you doing here so early?"
"I have lots of homework." Now it was true. Harry followed Madam Pince into the library and instead of looking for books about the Book of Ever, he was forced to look up bezoars. All he could remember were that they came from the stomach of goats. He got to work and was on his second roll of parchment when Hermione and Ron found him.
"What are you working on?"
"Snape found me coming when I was coming up here and I said I was coming to do extra homework so he gave me an extra assignment: three rolls of parchment about bezoars. I'm almost done. But now I don't have any time to look up that book before we talk to Dumbledore." Harry wrote for a few more minutes and then shut the huge leather bound tome and hefted it back on the shelf. "Let's go."
"We've got plenty of time left."
They left the library, Harry in the lead. He set off in the direction of Dumbledore's study they was nearly there when Professor Delano found them.
"I think the three of you should come with me."
They reached Dumbledore's office and said the password. They went up the stairs and knocked.
"Come in," a voice answered. "I'm glad you're all here. I have a few questions to ask and I'm sure a few to answer."
"Professor, yesterday I saw—"
"Yes, Harry. You did see the witch who lives on your street."
"Why didn't I know?"
"Because, Harry, it was necessary for her whereabouts to be hidden from other wizards and for her identity to remain hidden from you. But we require your help. Not directly, we don't want you in danger. We don't want any of you in danger. We are looking for ideas. Breaking into heavily guarded places seem to be a specialty for the three of you so we need to know things that would stop anyone as talented as yourselves when it comes to such things. Any suggestions?" His eyes twinkled behind their half moon spectacles.
"Professor, what is the Book of Ever?"
"I can't tell you exactly what the Book is Harry. Only three or four living wizards know. Those who know cannot divulge the information, and those that don't can't find out. But I can tell you some. Long ago a pact was made and an oath was sworn and we were all bound to stand by it, not to know the things in the Book. No one would know and everything would be all right. Then, one wizard sought the Book from its keeping. It had been locked away at Gringotts; in a vault similar to the one used to keep the Sorcerer's Stone. When its safety was jeopardized, responsible witches and wizards removed it, but on the way to its new hiding place it was intercepted. And read from. Those wizards and the wizard who had gone looking for the Book were the only ones who knew. It was then hidden away, and now it may be being searched for once more. That is why you are here," Dumbledore's face was grave.
"So that Book, is in trouble and you want us to help figure out a better way to guard it?" Hermione asked tentively.
"Yes. We need something that no one can get through to get at the Book. The three of you have gotten past what we thought was impossible. What can't you get past?"
"Maybe not dragons again," Harry remembered every encounter he ever had with a dragon, none of them were pleasant.
"Most wizards have trouble with logic," said Hermione, she was always the reasonable one who could figure out things logically.
"The spiders from the forest."
"Boggarts might work," Harry shuddered remembering the vision of the Dementor who appeared whenever he faced a boggart. He pictured the cold, dead, clammy hand of a Dementor. Boggarts themselves weren't bad if you knew that's what they were.
There was a knock and as Renata entered the room her mom asked. "What about any spells we could use?"
"I wasn't fond of that one in the maze last year that turned everything upside down," replied Harry.
"Is there away to set a spell to go off when someone enters a place? A pre-arranged Petrifying Spell would work if it was someone who couldn't die," Ron said this and Harry knew he had the same idea as he did about who the wizard who broke the oath was; Hermione, too.
"Don't do anything with snakes."
"Yeah, Voldemort can understand them," it was a bit bold of Harry to mention Voldemort as the wizard searching for the Book since the others had purposely not done so.
"Of course," Dumbledore said briskly. "You should all be off now you've been most helpful. Harry, stay a moment." Everyone dispersed Ron last of all and he whispered to Harry, "Snakes!" Then only Harry and Dumbledore remained.
"I knew you knew who I was discussing, Harry, but saying who it was frightened someone."
"But, Professor, Ron and Hermione knew too."
"Not them, Harry. Young Miss Delano. Her face paled. Didn't you notice she started to sweat and shiver? You didn't notice? Harry, Renata has been pretending to herself for fourteen years that it wasn't him. Did the Delanos tell you how her father died? Renata and her parents lived in England for a time. He was killed while they were still in England; about 14 years ago."
Realization dawned on Harry's face. "I didn't know, sir," he muttered, embarrassed.
"Please, don't mention it to her. Renata values her honor and would be extremely upset if anyone knew, or saw her shed tears for her loss. Is there anything else you wanted to tell me, Harry?"
"Wait, there was something I have to tell you." He explained the snakes. "So it's been twice now. I wrote to Sirius earlier today."
"Why didn't you speak up earlier?" he spoke sharply.
"The only way to make Voldemort realize I'm not afraid of him is to send the snakes back."
Dumbledore studied Harry for sometime. "You may go now, Harry, but let me remind you that only a fool is unafraid. There's a difference between foolishness and bravery. Remember that." Dumbledore said this and walked off down the hall. Harry walked down the other direction to where the Great Hall was; it was nearly time for lunch.
Halfway there he met Ron and Hermione, he was expecting this; he wasn't expecting Renata to still be there as well. "What did he say?" Ron said this and the three of them spread out across the corridor blocking as much of it as possible.
"It wasn't nice to make an assumption like I did about who I thought stole the book. Then I told him about the snakes."
A silence was creeping in. "You never took me to the secret passage. I want a way out of here."
"Is a tunnel from the grounds to Hogsmeadee okay? Or does it have to be from the castle itself to there?"
"The one on the grounds is fine."
"Tonight seven-ish?"
"Okay," Renata answered. Then instead of going down to lunch she headed back to Gryffindor Tower. The three of them headed down to the Great Hall. After lunch, to which Renata didn't show up to, Hermione went to talk to Lavender.
"Lavender, where's Renata?"
"She wasn't feeling well. I had to take her to Madam Pomfrey."
Hermione turned to Ron and Harry. "Don't look at us, we didn't even realize she wasn't here." Ron helped himself to some more chicken soup. After they ate they went to the hospital wing to check on Renata.
They reached the hospital wing and went inside. Madam Pomfrey was there.
"May I help you?"
"We heard Renata came in here. Is she alright?"
"She was feeling a bit dizzy, seemed to be caused by stress. I gave her a dose medicine and told her to go back to the Gryffindor Tower for some rest; a good nap does wonders on the weary. Whether its spell-backlash or just fatigue it does wonders."
"Thank you." They left. On the way up to Gryffindor Tower Hermione asked thoughtfully, "I wonder why she was upset."
In what he hoped would be an off-hand way Harry answered, "The mention of Voldemort probably upset her."
"No, it has to be more than that."
"I'm sure it was nothing."
Ron looked at him. "Harry," he looked at him hard. "You know something that we don't. Don't you?"
Harry looked around. He couldn't see anyone but there were voices coming down the hall. He pulled Hermione and Ron into an empty classroom. "Dumbledore kept me after you guys left because I upset someone. Did you two notice Renata get pale when I mentioned Voldemort?" They shook their heads. "Neither did I, but Dumbledore noticed it. He was only hinting to me but I got the message. While still in England, Renata's dad was killed by Voldemort."
"I didn't know."
"Neither did I."
"That's why she was upset. It got her thinking about the dad she never got to know. I understand what she was feeling so we better not bring it up." They left the room and continued on their way to Gryffindor Tower. Hermione went up the staircase to the girls' dormitory to see Renata. Ron and Harry got their broomsticks from their room and then waited at the bottom of the stairs a little off to the side, hoping Hermione would come down before anyone saw them.
The portal opened and Seamus came in "What are you two doing?"
Harry and Ron moved further from the stairs. "Er—waiting for Hermione to bring her homework down. We wanted some help with our—"
Harry had a sudden inspiration. "Our Defense Against the Dark Arts essays. We were having trouble so Hermione and Renata are going to help us finish them."
"I'll leave you alone then. I'd rather stay clear of that new girl myself." He went up the boys' staircase.
It was a couple minutes before Hermione came, leading Renata down the stairs. Her eyes were a little puffy and red but she looked cheerful enough. "Hello!" She tried to smile. "Let's go."
"Are you coming with us to fly or going to the library with Hermione?"
"You are joking right? Quidditch tryouts are tomorrow; I'm signed up. I want time to practice and get used to your stadium. Be back in a flash," Renata raced back up the stairs and came back down a moment later with her broomstick. "All set."
They all started out down the corridors and down the halls until they reached the library. "I'll see you three at dinner." So the three of them continued down the stairs. They went outside and across the ground to the stadium. They made their way inside. Harry smiled as he entered. He couldn't wait until the season officially started. Flying fifty feet above the ground, listening to the excited roar of the crowd, avoiding Bludgers, watching the chasers put the Quaffle through the hoop, he himself chasing the Snitch; it was exhilarating.
Harry mounted his broom and was off. Renata was right behind. She yelled, "Think I can't catch you?" She sped up.
Harry looked back, and she was catching up. He put on a spurt of speed and then went into a spectacular dive. He pulled out of it just in time for his toes to skim the grass. Renata had been tailing him and for safety's sake pulled up a few feet from the ground. "Not bad." She continued upward and circled the goals. After a few more minutes of flying Harry got down for a break and Ron soared into the air. He did loops and spins then sank to the ground himself. The two of them were in and out of the air. After a while Renata joined them, panting, "You two can't be tired out just yet it's barely been an hour!"
"No, we're not tired," Harry told her.
"I'm going back inside. I feel bad that we all left Hermione," Ron added.
Renata rose in the air, circled once more and landed. Without even looking back, she slung her broom over her shoulder and headed off in the direction of the castle. Harry and Ron followed. They reached the doors of the castle and went inside. They went up to the library to look for Hermione.
"Madam Pince, is Hermione here?" Harry asked.
"No she was here for a few minutes a while ago and then she left."
"Thank you." They left and headed back up to Gryffindor Tower. Neville was standing outside the portrait hole.
"Hi, Neville."
"What's the matter, did you forget the password? It's 'Magister.' "
Neville shook his head mutely. He pointed to his closed mouth.
"Oh well, let's go in." Harry turned to the Fat Lady. "Magister." The portrait swung back and they all entered the common room. The four of them went over and sat together in the corner.
"What is it, Neville? What happened? Say something."
"I've got it!" Renata raced upstairs. She came back with a quill, a bottle of ink, and some parchment. "Write down what happened."
Neville took the quill and began to write. Harry was sitting next to him and read out loud as his currently silent friend scribbled. " 'Malfoy saw me and he put a curse on me so I can't talk. I was looking for Hermione so that she could do the counter-curse because I don't know what it is.' " Harry turned back to Neville. "Sorry I don't know where she is and I don't know the counter-curse is either."
Ron shook his head muttering, "Fight back next time."
Renata stood up, "Let's go tell my mom. I bet she could un-curse Neville."
Ron and Harry both said, "No! Are you crazy?"
Neville began to write again, "No! It will only make things worse."
"How?" Renata seemed utterly confused.
Harry looked at her. "You've never been bullied or beat up before have you?"
"Once or twice."
Ron retorted, "That's surprising. You've got Seamus and Dean scared enough not to even want to be in the same room with you."
"Really?" She looked pleased as if that had been her goal.
"Yeah. Let's go find Hermione. Maybe she is down at Hagrid's." The four of them left. When they reached Hagrid's hut out on the grounds they saw he was out working in the pumpkin patch behind his house. He wiped the sweat off his brow as he saw them coming.
"Alrigh' there?"
"Were fine Hagrid but we're looking for Hermione. Have you seen her?"
"She was aroun' here a while ago bu' she left. Said she had somewhere to be."
"Did she mention where she was going?"
"No, bu' Ginny was with her. I don' know where they went."
"Thanks." They turned and headed back in the direction of the castle.
As soon as they were out of earshot from Hagrid Ron asked as much to the sky as anyone else, "Why are we one step behind her all afternoon?"
"Let's see if she's in the Great Hall."
Neville nodded. He seemed to be tired of not being able to talk. They entered the Great Hall and spotted Hermione standing at the marble staircase while talking to Nearly-Headless-Nick. He was the resident Ghost of Gryffindor Tower; the nickname came from the fact that his neck had been hacked at forty-two times with a blunt axe in an attempt to decapitate him and so he had died. He was saying, "No, not really anything out of the usual. I'm sure that if things did get dangerous stricter security would be given to the Castle."
"Thanks, Sir Nick. I don't want anyone hurt and if they aren't careful around here I'm sure bad things will happen. They already started to. Did you—" she saw the group heading towards her and she said goodbye to Nick. "I was looking for you."
"Hermione, Neville's been cursed by Malfoy again. He can't talk and we don't know how long it'll last. Could you take it off him?"
"I could try but I don't have my wand with me."
Harry reached into his pocket and handed his wand to Hermione. With a few well-chosen words and a wrist movement she had Neville talking again. "You really shouldn't let him do this to you, Neville."
"Why don't you fight back?" Ron asked.
"Things only get worse. Thanks, Hermione." Neville shuffled off.
"Where've you been Hermione? We couldn't find you," Ron said accusingly.
"I was in the library and when I had finished some extra credit star charts for astronomy I didn't have anything else to do. So I went back to the Common Room and Ginny was there so we took a walk down to Hagrid's house. Then she said she had to be somewhere so we left. I don't know where she is now, I think someone in her class wanted to talk to her. I don't know who it was, Colin, or Clare or someone. I really don't remember the name. I came back here and I was just talking to Nick."
"Lets go eat." They made their way down to the Gryffindor Table. A few minutes after them Fred and George came in followed by their friend Lee Jordan.
Lee said, "Guess who is still running the commentary for the Hogwarts Quidditch matches? Yours truly," he grinned.
Fred and George thumped his back, "That's our man!" The three of them went into a discussion on how great the Gryffindor team would probably be this year.
"So," Renata said putting down her fork. "What's the plan for tonight?"
"I need to write a letter," Hermione said.
"To who?" Ron asked rather suspiciously.
"It's none of your business, but I guess I'll tell you anyway. I'm writing to Neville's grandmother. She really should know that he's being picked on. I think I'll suggest some defense classes over the holidays."
"Yeah, Karate chops will come in real handy when somebody's coming up and jinxing him from behind," Ron said in a sarcastic tone.
"I wasn't suggesting those kind of self defense classes, I meant magic ones!" Hermione's face had gone hot. "It was only a thought, I don't like to see people get hurt."
Neither one of them said anything for sometime. "So, after we're done why don't we check the library for that book and then we'll go to Hogsmeadee."
The others all agreed. The four of them went up to the library. In three hours of searching the many, many rows of books all they came up with was three books. They checked them out and brought them to Gryffindor Tower to review when they would have time. Hermione put them with her things because among all the other books she had a few more wouldn't be very noticeable. They all left the castle and went to the grounds. Eventually they came to the Whomping Willow at the center of the grounds.
"What are we doing here?" Renata backed away from the flailing limbs of the tree.
"This is the passage out of Hogwarts. Are you game?"
"Yeah."
Harry picked up a dead limb and pushed in one of the tree's knots. He, along with the others went down into the little tunnel as the branches remained as lifeless as marble. Harry lit his wand, "Lumos!" They continued along the tunnel until they reached a set of stairs. With a good shove the door opened and they were in a dust filled living room. "Welcome to the Shrieking Shack. The most haunted building in all of Britain." With a little bit of trouble they managed to get the back door opened and they stepped out. "Down the hill is the village. Anybody want to go down and get some butterbeer?"
"Do you think Madam Rosmerta would notice that we were there and it's not an assigned day?"
"How bad can it be? My dad used to come here all the time with Sirius and Lupin. Fred and George never get in trouble either. And we didn't get in trouble last time." Together they went down to the Three Broomsticks.
Ron ordered the drinks and brought over four hot tankards to the table they were sitting at.
"This isn't real beer is it? Not alcoholic, right?" Renata asked.
"Of course not. Like root beer. Students from Hogwarts drink this stuff all the time. Its great." They began to drink their drinks and they felt warmed up immediately; it had been a bit cold outside.
"It's a good thing its not too crowded today. Otherwise someone might recognize us." It was true: there was a witch deeply engrossed in some book she was reading. At another table a young woman, maybe no more than twenty years old, she left about five minutes after they had sat down.
They were almost finished when Professor Dumbledore came in. Harry, Ron, and Hermione ducked under the table with their drinks pulling Renata with them. They left immediately. They made their way back to the Shrieking Shack, through the door; they locked it behind them and went back down the tunnel. It was difficult but they managed to hit the knot and freeze the branches in place long enough to get out. "That was close, I should have brought my invisibility cloak. I wonder what Dumbledore was doing there."
Ron and Harry found Neville trembling outside the door of their dorm; it was his dorm too after all. "What are you doing out here, Neville?"
"If Malfoy's been picking on you again I swear I'm gonna—"
"N-no. I was in there and it…a boa constrictor came through the window. Its probably still on your bed, Harry."
Ron and Harry looked at each other. "Thanks, Neville. We'll call you in when it's gone." They rushed through the doors. Sure enough when Harry pulled back his velvet hangings there was a Brazilian Boa Constrictor on his bed. It raised its head until its eyes were level with Harry's.
"Amigo, itsss been a long time. Brazzzil was niccce, graciassss."
"Harry, what did it say?" Ron asked eagerly.
Harry was listening to the snake. "We've met?"
"Five yearsss, ago. The Muggle zoo."
"I remember."
"I have a messssage. The next sssnake you meet isss likely to be your ending. Mossst sssnakesss are not sso niccce. They are sssent by thosse which wisssh you harm. If ever you come acrossss Nagini beware of your life. Ssshe will not ssspare you. Her massster would forbid it and causssse terrible wrath. I heard of thessse thingsss and came here to warn you. Be watchful, Harry Potter." The snake slithered off the bed and across the floor.
"Thank you. Where can I find you?"
"Where ever I am, I am, adiosss." The snake left out the window.
"Harry, what was it?" Ron seemed anxious.
"I knew that snake. I freed it from a Muggle zoo five years ago. Before I knew I was a wizard."
"What did it say?"
"He said he'd never seen Brazil."
Ron shook Harry a little bit, "Not then, now."
"He came to warn me. A snake that wants to kill me is working for Voldemort. A snake named Nagini."
Ron sputtered. "That- that snake knows that You-Know-Who is going to try to… and that he's going to use a snake."
Harry did not want any more to do with the conversation. He went to the door and told Neville it was okay to come in. Ron knew the conversation was over. As Harry climbed into bed and pulled the velvet hangings around his bed closed, he had trouble sleeping. His thoughts were haunted by visions coming unbidden to his head. Snakes. Voldemort. The last moments of his parents' lives. And throughout it all there was a high, cold laugh. Eventually an uneasy sleep took him.
In the morning Harry woke up and the dorm was empty. Neville, Seamus and Dean were all downstairs at breakfast. Harry got dressed and went down to the Common Room. Once again, Ron and Hermione were waiting for him. "We were almost ready to go down without you."
"You should have been early since we've got a stop to make." Harry looked at her questioningly. "We have to go see Dumbledore, Harry. A third snake."
"But this one was friendly. I actually knew him. I don't think it's a big deal."
"Yes it is. You haven't heard from Sirius yet. You need to tell someone."
"Can it wait until after breakfast? I don't feel much like talking yet."
"No. After breakfast we have to get to class and after that it'll be one excuse after another. We have to talk to him, now. There won't be time before class." Hermione stayed to wait for Renata, while Harry and Ron went to see Dumbledore. They continued silently on their way until they reached the gargoyle guarding the stairs that led to Dumbledore office. "Chocolate Frog." The gargoyle sprang aside and they entered. They went up the stairs and knocked on the door. After several minutes there was still no answer.
"Should we chance it?"
"I will." Harry opened the door and went inside. The portraits of passed headmasters and headmistresses snored on the wall as usual and Fawkes was back on his perch on the shelf. He fluttered down to Harry's shoulder. Harry stroked him for a moment. Then called, "Professor Dumbledore." There was no answer and Harry didn't dare to knock on the next door; the one that probably led to where Dumbledore lived.
"Now what do we do?"
"I suggest we leave a note." Harry took a piece of paper and a scarlet quill from Dumbledore's desk. He began to write.
Professor,
Last night another snake met me. It was one I met when I was living as a Muggle. He just warned me of another snake. He said Voldemort has a favorite snake, Nagini, and that that is the one who will be more than a messenger.
Harry
The morning mail arrived and Hedwig had a letter for Harry. She landed on the table and helped herself to some of his toast. Harry ripped open the letter from Sirius.
Harry, now I want you to promise me that you won't be wandering around alone at night. The snakes could be more than messengers. Tell me at once if there are any more snakes or any more problems.
Things are going fine with what we're working on. I won't be able to make it to Hogsmeadee this trip. It's just as well since I suppose you'd rather catch up on some shopping. I'll try and visit you at Christmas when the castle is less crowded.
When he was done with it he passed the letter to Ron and Hermione. When they were done with it he put the letter away. "He's worried."
"So? He cares about you."
"I don't like it when he's worried."
"That's because you spent ten years with the Dursleys, without anyone caring about you. They wanted you to be miserable." Harry and Ron went up to the North Tower for Divination class with Professor Trelawny and Renata and Hermione went to Arithmacy. Professor Trelawny always seemed to be predicting Harry's death; having to listen to her do so grew quite tiring. Fortunately by sitting in the back and making himself scarce Harry avoided Professor Trelawny.
It was Monday afternoon and all their classes for the day were finally finished. Harry trudged out to the Quidditch field with his broom on his shoulder, with him were Fred and George Weasley, Renata, Alicia Spinnet, Angelina Johnson, Katie Bell, and a few other Gryffindors of various years trying out for the house team. The other three houses would have their own tryouts over the next few days. Madam Hooch was waiting. "Mount your brooms and on my whistle I want three warm-up laps. Three…two…one!" The whistle blared and they were up. After the first few laps they came down and each went through various drills according to what position they were trying out for. Almost three hours later they were finally finished. "Great job, everyone! The teams will be posted on the bulletin board in the Gryffindor Common Room on the day before Halloween." The tired students trudged back up to the tower. Not speaking much.
When they neared the tower Fred and George took the lead. As the approached the portrait of the Fat Lady and she inquired, "Password?"
Fred said, "I'm wiped."
George yawned, "Me, too." In unison, falling to the ground in fake exhaustion, they said, "Goodnight!" They blocked the door and no could get in. After being genially punched and kicked a bit by Harry and then Renata as well, and some whining and remarks from the other waiting Gryffindors, they got up and after giving the password they all went in. Harry was about to head up the stairs when Fred and George dashed in front of him. "Excuse us!" They both put on an interesting performance: they pushed each other down the stairs repeatedly.
Eventually Harry got bored of waiting and hit them both on the head with his broom. The twins feigned dizziness and fell backward onto one of the couches. Harry climbed into his pajamas and pulled the velvet hangings around his bed closed and he shut his eyes.