Title: Musings of A Tired Mind
Author: Remii
Disclaimer: Mm. My favorite part: the LEGAL CRAP. Sadly, I don't own Harry Potter of any of its wonderful character... T_T They belong to the amazingly talented J.K. Rowling. I do, however, own this story and any made- up spells or characters, so I'd appreciate it if you would ask before 'borrowing' them.
Warning: Well, the beginning starts out slow, so I'll dub it PG-13 for now, seeing as how it might progress in the future. ^_~
Eye Catching Blurb: There is no eye catching blurb. I ate it.
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Chapter 6! Arg. Sorry for taking so long. Its been crazy here! We got the new EMac, and while it was easy to install, it was a bitch to attempt to transfer the files from the old computer onto this one. I don't even have every single chapter of M.o.a.T.M. on this comp yet. Sorry for the delay! Hopefully I'll be done with the installations soon.
Thanks to all who reviewed!
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Chapter Six: Summer Woes
Harry blinked into cobalt blue eyes. Once. Twice. Three times. The eyes connected with his, remaining completely focused. Not fully cobalt blue, Harry realized. More of a dark blue outside, fading to light blue inside, and gold around the pupil. Odd eyes. Odd but beautiful all the same. A pang through Harry's head disrupted him from his train of thoughts, making him close his eyes from the pain. Groaning, Harry shifted onto his side, his hand gripping his 'pillow'. After the pain dissipated, he tried opening his eyes again and gasped.
Hermione was standing to his left side, staring down at him. Another illusion?
"Harry?" Hermione asked tentively. She had seen the shock on his face when he saw her, leading to resignation with a twinge of fear. But why would Harry fear her?
He shot his head up at her words. "Hermione...?" Harry asked slowly. He reached his shaking hand up, hesitantly touching her arm, as if afraid it would fade away. Coming in contact with the familiar feeling of her rope, Harry continued to run his fingertips along the fabric.
"Hermione," he confirmed, letting out a breath he hadn't known he held.
"Hey Harry," a red-faced panting Ron said, stepping in front of Hermione.
Harry went over the same steps he did with Hermione to Ron, sighing in relief.
"You''re both O.K." Harry smiled.
Fear broke through his confident facade. He glanced his eyes around the room, frantically searching for the one person he had to see for himself. His eyes landed on his folded hands in his lap. Lifting them up, they shook as he turned them palm face up, then looking to the back on his hand, twisting them back and forth, not believing them to be truly clean.
Harry turned fear-filled distrustful eyes upon Ron and Hermione. "Where's Draco?"
"Right behind you," Draco's cool voice replied.
Harry yelped and quickly turned around, his face losing all fear and tension. Relief swarmed over him. Draco was alive!
Before he knew what happened, Draco had an armful of a trembling Harry Potter. Harry clung to Draco's robes for minutes before he let go. Looking into Draco's gray eyes, Harry smiled in relief, ignoring the lone tear that ran down his cheek.
"You were hurt.." he tried to explain. "Just lying there, staring at me! Oh Gods, there was so much blood, and you talked to me...and let go. You just let go!" Another tear streamed down his face. Sniffling, Harry wiped his nose with his sleeve. "I tried to help you, but I couldn't. I just couldn't! And you died..covered in blood...it was horrid!" Harry looked away. Anywhere but those eyes which so resembled his dream.
Draco's face softened. "Well, I'm O.K. No need to worry," he replied, wiping the tears from Harry''s face. "No need to worry," he whispered.
Sohrae watched Draco hold Harry with cool distaste. Just friends?! her mind cried frantically. Okay, so Harry was obviously shaken about something and needed comfort. She could deal with that. But did Draco have to pet his hair, making Harry sigh in content?! Urgghh! Sohrae mentally pulled her hair out. Dealing with Draco as an enemy was one thing, but potential competition?! Injustice!! She apparently made some sort of squeak, for the heads of the room''s occupants looked up.
"Eh heh heh," Sohrae managed out, scratching the back of her head during the awkward pause. "Er...hi. I''m Sohrae."
Harry gazed at for a second before snapping out of his dazed stupor; thousands of thoughts running through his head. She was the one holding his hand! Did that make her..the golden light? Was that her voice calling to him? Saving him from his dream? Were those her...beautiful eyes?
"Excuse me for not noticing you earlier, Sohrae. I'm Harry. Nice to meet you."
This time Sohrae knew she squeaked, a doofy smile on her face. "H-hi Harry!"
Ron laughed in his head, Harry had reduced Sohrae to that of which she reduced Seamus each day. Oh the irony. Sohrae caught his smirk, flushed, and stuck out her tongue. Dumb Ron. What did he know about love anyway?
Harry noticed Sohrae and Ron's playful banter. Just as good that they all got along. Looking to Draco he noticed the heated glare directed at Sohrae.
"Hey!" Harry said, poking Draco in his side. "Why the look?"
Eyebrow raise. Feign of innocence. Silent debate. Face drop. Sigh. Eyes loose hard edge. Look away for a second. Connect with his own. Gods I know him so well Harry mused, laughing silently.
"Differences," Draco stated.
"Draco, I thought we got over this history quarrel," Harry sighed.
"Deeper. This is different and deeper. No need to worry. Now that you're awake, I'll be good."
Harry's turn to raise an eyebrow. "As opposed to when I'm in comas you wreck havoc?"
"Damn straight he does! I still smell like that blasted soda," Ron complained.
Harry was about to ask what happened when Draco cut him off. "Weasley please. Complaining to Harry about you're impairments in opening soda cans. And you call yourself a friend."
Ron fumed.
Hermione close her eyes and patted Ron's shoulder.
Harry tried again. "Soda--?"
"Its another highly funny story for another night," Hermione yawned.
"Oh, I'm sorry 'Mione! I'm keeping you guys awake," Harry said sheepishly.
"Not at all. We were happy to keep you company," Sohrae smiled, leaning down just a bit.
Harry's heart skipped a beat, breath hitching in his throat. Those were definitely the eyes he saw earlier. Fighting down a blush, he smiled his lopsided grin. Sohrae effectively blushed and stood up straight.
"I hope I'm not disturbing anything."
Everyone turned to Madam Pomfrey standing in the doorway.
"I had to make a few stops before coming back. Dumbledore assured me your safety, Potter. Thank you for coming to collect me, Weasley. Now, if you all wouldn't mind," she eyed Sohrae, determining if there was any potential threat, "my patient needs his rest."
Hermione interlocked her arms with Ron and Sohrae. Dragging them from the room, she called out that they'd see Harry later and to feel better, with love. Draco sighed and released his hold on Harry, crawling out of the bed.
"Sleep well," he said, ruffling Harry's already unmanageable hair.
Harry swatted Draco's hands away. Hesitating only a second, he sat up in bed and pulled Draco into a hug. "I'm glad you're O.K.," he whispered.
Harry smirked evilly and ruffled Draco's perfectly combed hair, earning a punch in the shoulder, harmless, of course. Harry grabbed his shoulder, cried out in mock pain, and fainted onto the bed.
"It's not nice to abuse helpless sick people, you know," Harry stated, opening one eye.
Draco smirked and started walking towards the door. "You're hardly a helpless ill," he called over his shoulder. "See you for breakfast," he left without turning back.
Harry flopped back onto his bed, sighing contentedly. He was happy to have his real friends back as company. And Sohrae too. Sohrae. Harry close his eyes and leaned into his pillow. Gods those eyes! Harry's own shot open in realization. He had no idea what Sohrae looked like. He'd only been focusing on her eyes.
"-arry...Harry."
Harry turned towards the door and saw Dumbledore standing there, eyes twinkling.
"You must have heavy thoughts on your mind."
"Er...sorry Professor..." Harry replied, embarrassed that he hadn't heard Dumbledore's calling over Sohrae's eyes.
"No need. No need. Fourth callings a charm." Dumbledore sat besides Harry. Turning a serious upon a tired face, he started. "Now Harry, I would like you to tell me of everything that happened this summer."
* * *
"We just came from seeing Harry!" Hermione argued.
"I'm sure you have, Granger. Five points from Gryffindor for talking back to a teacher," Snape sneered.
Snape had caught the four students walking around the halls. Unbeknownst to them, they had been out after hours.
"Professor Dumbledore was just there! I saw him!" Ron yelled. "If he didn't say anything then it's obviously O.K.!"
"Dumbledore is in his office, Mr. Weasley. 5 points from Gryffindor for lying to a teacher and getting caught." Snape's eyes glittered dangerously. "That's 10 points already. Choose your next words wisely."
As amusing as this all was, Draco was tired and just wanted to sleep. Pushing Weasley aside, he made his presence known.
"As much as it pains me to say this, Professor, they're telling the truth."
"Ah, Malfoy. I didn't see you behind Weasley's blinding red."
"Tragic, I'm sure. May we go to the common rooms, sir? Unless you prefer we stay here amongst Gryffindors. Rather, you staying with them, me going to sleep. You'll take more house points, discuss when they will serve their detentions, etc. Probably tomorrow, when Dumbledore hears of tonight's quarrel, you'll be summoned to his office, again, be told of his presence at the hospital ward, and, inevitably, your detentions will be canceled and house points restored. As the cycle goes. See my logic? It's quite late, we're tired, goodnight, sir." Draco rolled his shoulders and walked off; Hermione, Ron and Sohrae running behind him.
Snape blinked in the now-empty hallway. What had just happened? his mind asked. For lack of a face to describe his present state, he pulled on a sneer. Beastly little Gryffindor twerps. Think they could talk back to him! No one could treat Severus Snape with tact and disrespect and get away with it. Hah! Snape continued walking down the hall, oblivious as ever.
* * *
"Er..my summer, Professor?"
"Yes. How was your stay with the Dursleys?"
"It was...pleasant...I guess."
"And?" Dumbledore persisted.
Harry relaxed into the bed. This was going to take awhile. He had really wanted to talk to Sirius about it, but faced with a curious Dumbledore and the immense feelings of wanting to get the story off his chest, this seemed the best option. Besides, Dumbledore was the perfect confidant: trustworthy, loyal, and incredibly wise. Who better? Besides Sirius that is. Dumbledore, sensing the change in Harry's composure and attitude too settled into a comfortable sitting position. Noticing that Harry was staring at him, Dumbledore nodded his head in consent.
Harry took a deep breath and called back memories that had over- flooded him when he stepped into the Hogwarts Express.
"It started out normal enough. Uncle Vernon picked me up from the station and brought me home. My chores were all the same; I woke up early, made breakfast, cleaned the dishes, and did whatever else they told me to. After about a week, when I woke up, Aunt Petunia was sitting at the table, her eyes were all puffy. At first I thought that Uncle Vernon had hit her, but he was in no better shape. Except, he was rambling about how something was completely preposterous and that someone couldn't do this to him. When Dudley woke, they explained to him that Uncle Vernon was fired because of a depression that seems to be going on in the muggle world.
"He promised that everything was going to be O.K., but everything just went down from there. He couldn't get a job, no one would hire Dudley, and Aunt Petunia wasn't qualified to do anything but spy on people. So of course, being the fool that she is, Aunt Petunia rushed to the bank to make a withdrawal, but it turned out that they wouldn't let her take out any money.
"Everyone was off and on that whole week. Some days it was a quiet sympathetic day were they would actually be nice to me, and others were a crazed yell at each other blaming everyone day. I was in my room, having completed my chores, when Uncle Vernon busted into during one of the 'Blame Everyone' days. He ripped any trace of me from that room and crammed it into the cupboard under the stairs, me along with it. Normally, after 11 years of this, I wouldn't really give a damn, but I was bigger, and crammed into that stupid cupboard filled with crap. They locked me in there and wouldn't even let me out to pee! For three days!!"
Harry laughed nervously, but Dumbledore's face stayed grace.
"Why do you think they moved your room?" he asked calmly.
"Well, I suppose with the new conditions, they just wanted something new. And I cant blame them. By my absence of presence, everything was O.K. with them: one less mouth to feed, one less person to 'worry' about. And with the new room, it was like they had an edition to their house, they weren't as poor and bad-off as it seemed.
"At first I was pissed, and tried to get out, but Dudley took my wand. When I finally did kick the door down, Uncle Vernon and Dudley practically jumped me! With one mini whale and another fat..fat something! They overpowered me. They even threatened to break my wand!"
Dumbledore placed a hand on Harry's shoulder, calming him in an instant. Harry muttered a 'sorry', his shoulder slumping.
"Please, continue," Dumbledore pushed.
"I was in the cupboard at this point?" Dumbledore nodded. "How to put this..." Harry looked thoughtful for a moment before sighing. "Well, there no real nice way of putting this: they kicked me out."
"Onto the sofa, you mean?"
"No, out of the house. Aunt Petunia convinced Uncle Vernon that I was sponging off them as I had been doing my whole life. Apparently it was better for everyone if I just went out on my own. When they started to lock my things up, I tried getting them back out. I ended up getting into a nasty fight with Dudley, which I must say, I put in a few good punches, but Uncle Vernon... at least ...I think it was Uncle Vernon... hit me on the back of my head with something, and knocked me out. When I woke I had no idea where I was. Stupidly, they left me near a gas station, so I picked up a map and figured out my way back.
"I tried sneaking in at night when I was sure everyone was asleep. I made it in all right. No one on that neighborhood really locks up. I managed to find my chest and take out some paper and a bit of ink. I figured since Sirius was out of the question, Ron and Hermione were away, I could find some galleons and my wand, then signal the Knight Bus to take me to Diagon Alley. From there on I thought I could contact you.
"I got my money, but couldn't find my wand. I guess I made some sort of noise, because in no time Uncle Vernon came barreling down the stairs."
Harry cringed at the memory, taking a drink of his water. He was tempted to pour it over his head. Fighting the urge, he ran a hand through his hair instead and sighed, trying to gather his thoughts.
"Uncle Vernon wasn't happy to see me there, to say the least. I managed to get to the door with my paper and ink in tow, but he jumped me from behind. Didn't know the fat idiot could run so fast. To put it bluntly: he pretty much beat me to a pulp. After I passed out he packed me into the car and drove me to another remote place. No gas stations in sight."
Harry turned to Dumbledore to make sure he had his full attention.
"This is where everything gets fuzzy. I remember getting the paper out and what there was left in my broken ink bottle, but I don't remember writing letters. Gods, all I remember is being in terrible pain."
Dumbledore regarded Harry in silence. His stare was so intense, such that Harry had to pat the covers to reassure himself that he wasn't naked. As Dumbledore sat there, Harry's mind strayed to Sohrae. Of course, Sohrae. Harry snorted. He was about to switch his thoughts when he remembered something. Something about Sohrae? No. Not exactly Sohrae but...Harry cried out in frustration. He almost had it. Sighing remorsefully, he looked around the room, hoping something would spark his memory.
His eyes landed on a candle. A candle. What did a candle have to do with anything? Harry tried pulling his eyes away, but to no avail. Maybe there was something about the candle? As quick as lightening, the candle color was imbedded into his mind, passing before his eyes.
Red, orange. Red, orange. What did that have to do with a candle-oh! Harry sat up in bed. A flame! A flame of a candle, like fire! A fireplace! Harry turned triumphantly to Dumbledore
"There was a fireplace!" he all but shouted. "And...and it was warm, really warm."
"There was a fireplace where the Dursleys left you?" Dumbledore asked curiously.
"No, no! I remember it all now! I was going to write you. I had the remaining paper out in front of me..." Harry gestured widely, showing what position he was sitting in, where exactly the broken ink bottle and paper were. "I was writing to you and a shadow fell over me. I instinctively reached for my wand but Dudley still had it. When I looked up, I saw only eyes, it was night still, and..Well. I don't remember what happened after that, really. Wait! I.. oh damn. Hold on." Harry sat on the bed, concentrating. Eyes...eyes..Sohrae...eyes.. wait, Sohrae? Eyes like Sohrae's! Well, not like Sohrae''s. A completely different color, ugly color, but just as intense. Ah!
"I remember waking up at one point. I think I was in a cottage, wrapped in blankets, like I am now. There was a huge fire in the fireplace. I..fell asleep after that, and when I woke up, I was on the Hogwarts train. But that cant be...too much time went by."
Harry turned remorseful eyes to Dumbledore. "I'm sorry. I can't remember anything else. I didn't even remember anything until I woke up. When I was on the train, my summer was like all the years before: horrible and spent with the Dursleys."
"So, Harry. Let me understand this better. When you awoke, you were on the train." Harry nodded. "And you didn't remember that the Dursleys had kicked you out." Another nod. "Nor any other events that happened." Another nod. "We must run some test to see if and spells might be lingering on your body. I believe that Madam Pomfrey will agree when I say that your high fever repelled the memory charm."
Dumbledore rose from his seat, his anger perfectly concealed. His twinkle was back, and shining as ever. His smile reassuring Harry.
"Now get some sleep, Harry. I believe I must have another chat with Snape now."
Harry watched Dumbledore leave the room. Smiling, he yawned, snuggled into the bed, and sleep he did.
~End of Chapter Six! What do you think? Comments, Questions, Criticisms? All
accepted! Though some more than others. Feel free to inflate my ego.~
**Boost My Muse: Make A Donation to the 'I Need Your Thoughts Association'.**
Author: Remii
Disclaimer: Mm. My favorite part: the LEGAL CRAP. Sadly, I don't own Harry Potter of any of its wonderful character... T_T They belong to the amazingly talented J.K. Rowling. I do, however, own this story and any made- up spells or characters, so I'd appreciate it if you would ask before 'borrowing' them.
Warning: Well, the beginning starts out slow, so I'll dub it PG-13 for now, seeing as how it might progress in the future. ^_~
Eye Catching Blurb: There is no eye catching blurb. I ate it.
**************************************************************************** **
Chapter 6! Arg. Sorry for taking so long. Its been crazy here! We got the new EMac, and while it was easy to install, it was a bitch to attempt to transfer the files from the old computer onto this one. I don't even have every single chapter of M.o.a.T.M. on this comp yet. Sorry for the delay! Hopefully I'll be done with the installations soon.
Thanks to all who reviewed!
**************************************************************************** **
Chapter Six: Summer Woes
Harry blinked into cobalt blue eyes. Once. Twice. Three times. The eyes connected with his, remaining completely focused. Not fully cobalt blue, Harry realized. More of a dark blue outside, fading to light blue inside, and gold around the pupil. Odd eyes. Odd but beautiful all the same. A pang through Harry's head disrupted him from his train of thoughts, making him close his eyes from the pain. Groaning, Harry shifted onto his side, his hand gripping his 'pillow'. After the pain dissipated, he tried opening his eyes again and gasped.
Hermione was standing to his left side, staring down at him. Another illusion?
"Harry?" Hermione asked tentively. She had seen the shock on his face when he saw her, leading to resignation with a twinge of fear. But why would Harry fear her?
He shot his head up at her words. "Hermione...?" Harry asked slowly. He reached his shaking hand up, hesitantly touching her arm, as if afraid it would fade away. Coming in contact with the familiar feeling of her rope, Harry continued to run his fingertips along the fabric.
"Hermione," he confirmed, letting out a breath he hadn't known he held.
"Hey Harry," a red-faced panting Ron said, stepping in front of Hermione.
Harry went over the same steps he did with Hermione to Ron, sighing in relief.
"You''re both O.K." Harry smiled.
Fear broke through his confident facade. He glanced his eyes around the room, frantically searching for the one person he had to see for himself. His eyes landed on his folded hands in his lap. Lifting them up, they shook as he turned them palm face up, then looking to the back on his hand, twisting them back and forth, not believing them to be truly clean.
Harry turned fear-filled distrustful eyes upon Ron and Hermione. "Where's Draco?"
"Right behind you," Draco's cool voice replied.
Harry yelped and quickly turned around, his face losing all fear and tension. Relief swarmed over him. Draco was alive!
Before he knew what happened, Draco had an armful of a trembling Harry Potter. Harry clung to Draco's robes for minutes before he let go. Looking into Draco's gray eyes, Harry smiled in relief, ignoring the lone tear that ran down his cheek.
"You were hurt.." he tried to explain. "Just lying there, staring at me! Oh Gods, there was so much blood, and you talked to me...and let go. You just let go!" Another tear streamed down his face. Sniffling, Harry wiped his nose with his sleeve. "I tried to help you, but I couldn't. I just couldn't! And you died..covered in blood...it was horrid!" Harry looked away. Anywhere but those eyes which so resembled his dream.
Draco's face softened. "Well, I'm O.K. No need to worry," he replied, wiping the tears from Harry''s face. "No need to worry," he whispered.
Sohrae watched Draco hold Harry with cool distaste. Just friends?! her mind cried frantically. Okay, so Harry was obviously shaken about something and needed comfort. She could deal with that. But did Draco have to pet his hair, making Harry sigh in content?! Urgghh! Sohrae mentally pulled her hair out. Dealing with Draco as an enemy was one thing, but potential competition?! Injustice!! She apparently made some sort of squeak, for the heads of the room''s occupants looked up.
"Eh heh heh," Sohrae managed out, scratching the back of her head during the awkward pause. "Er...hi. I''m Sohrae."
Harry gazed at for a second before snapping out of his dazed stupor; thousands of thoughts running through his head. She was the one holding his hand! Did that make her..the golden light? Was that her voice calling to him? Saving him from his dream? Were those her...beautiful eyes?
"Excuse me for not noticing you earlier, Sohrae. I'm Harry. Nice to meet you."
This time Sohrae knew she squeaked, a doofy smile on her face. "H-hi Harry!"
Ron laughed in his head, Harry had reduced Sohrae to that of which she reduced Seamus each day. Oh the irony. Sohrae caught his smirk, flushed, and stuck out her tongue. Dumb Ron. What did he know about love anyway?
Harry noticed Sohrae and Ron's playful banter. Just as good that they all got along. Looking to Draco he noticed the heated glare directed at Sohrae.
"Hey!" Harry said, poking Draco in his side. "Why the look?"
Eyebrow raise. Feign of innocence. Silent debate. Face drop. Sigh. Eyes loose hard edge. Look away for a second. Connect with his own. Gods I know him so well Harry mused, laughing silently.
"Differences," Draco stated.
"Draco, I thought we got over this history quarrel," Harry sighed.
"Deeper. This is different and deeper. No need to worry. Now that you're awake, I'll be good."
Harry's turn to raise an eyebrow. "As opposed to when I'm in comas you wreck havoc?"
"Damn straight he does! I still smell like that blasted soda," Ron complained.
Harry was about to ask what happened when Draco cut him off. "Weasley please. Complaining to Harry about you're impairments in opening soda cans. And you call yourself a friend."
Ron fumed.
Hermione close her eyes and patted Ron's shoulder.
Harry tried again. "Soda--?"
"Its another highly funny story for another night," Hermione yawned.
"Oh, I'm sorry 'Mione! I'm keeping you guys awake," Harry said sheepishly.
"Not at all. We were happy to keep you company," Sohrae smiled, leaning down just a bit.
Harry's heart skipped a beat, breath hitching in his throat. Those were definitely the eyes he saw earlier. Fighting down a blush, he smiled his lopsided grin. Sohrae effectively blushed and stood up straight.
"I hope I'm not disturbing anything."
Everyone turned to Madam Pomfrey standing in the doorway.
"I had to make a few stops before coming back. Dumbledore assured me your safety, Potter. Thank you for coming to collect me, Weasley. Now, if you all wouldn't mind," she eyed Sohrae, determining if there was any potential threat, "my patient needs his rest."
Hermione interlocked her arms with Ron and Sohrae. Dragging them from the room, she called out that they'd see Harry later and to feel better, with love. Draco sighed and released his hold on Harry, crawling out of the bed.
"Sleep well," he said, ruffling Harry's already unmanageable hair.
Harry swatted Draco's hands away. Hesitating only a second, he sat up in bed and pulled Draco into a hug. "I'm glad you're O.K.," he whispered.
Harry smirked evilly and ruffled Draco's perfectly combed hair, earning a punch in the shoulder, harmless, of course. Harry grabbed his shoulder, cried out in mock pain, and fainted onto the bed.
"It's not nice to abuse helpless sick people, you know," Harry stated, opening one eye.
Draco smirked and started walking towards the door. "You're hardly a helpless ill," he called over his shoulder. "See you for breakfast," he left without turning back.
Harry flopped back onto his bed, sighing contentedly. He was happy to have his real friends back as company. And Sohrae too. Sohrae. Harry close his eyes and leaned into his pillow. Gods those eyes! Harry's own shot open in realization. He had no idea what Sohrae looked like. He'd only been focusing on her eyes.
"-arry...Harry."
Harry turned towards the door and saw Dumbledore standing there, eyes twinkling.
"You must have heavy thoughts on your mind."
"Er...sorry Professor..." Harry replied, embarrassed that he hadn't heard Dumbledore's calling over Sohrae's eyes.
"No need. No need. Fourth callings a charm." Dumbledore sat besides Harry. Turning a serious upon a tired face, he started. "Now Harry, I would like you to tell me of everything that happened this summer."
* * *
"We just came from seeing Harry!" Hermione argued.
"I'm sure you have, Granger. Five points from Gryffindor for talking back to a teacher," Snape sneered.
Snape had caught the four students walking around the halls. Unbeknownst to them, they had been out after hours.
"Professor Dumbledore was just there! I saw him!" Ron yelled. "If he didn't say anything then it's obviously O.K.!"
"Dumbledore is in his office, Mr. Weasley. 5 points from Gryffindor for lying to a teacher and getting caught." Snape's eyes glittered dangerously. "That's 10 points already. Choose your next words wisely."
As amusing as this all was, Draco was tired and just wanted to sleep. Pushing Weasley aside, he made his presence known.
"As much as it pains me to say this, Professor, they're telling the truth."
"Ah, Malfoy. I didn't see you behind Weasley's blinding red."
"Tragic, I'm sure. May we go to the common rooms, sir? Unless you prefer we stay here amongst Gryffindors. Rather, you staying with them, me going to sleep. You'll take more house points, discuss when they will serve their detentions, etc. Probably tomorrow, when Dumbledore hears of tonight's quarrel, you'll be summoned to his office, again, be told of his presence at the hospital ward, and, inevitably, your detentions will be canceled and house points restored. As the cycle goes. See my logic? It's quite late, we're tired, goodnight, sir." Draco rolled his shoulders and walked off; Hermione, Ron and Sohrae running behind him.
Snape blinked in the now-empty hallway. What had just happened? his mind asked. For lack of a face to describe his present state, he pulled on a sneer. Beastly little Gryffindor twerps. Think they could talk back to him! No one could treat Severus Snape with tact and disrespect and get away with it. Hah! Snape continued walking down the hall, oblivious as ever.
* * *
"Er..my summer, Professor?"
"Yes. How was your stay with the Dursleys?"
"It was...pleasant...I guess."
"And?" Dumbledore persisted.
Harry relaxed into the bed. This was going to take awhile. He had really wanted to talk to Sirius about it, but faced with a curious Dumbledore and the immense feelings of wanting to get the story off his chest, this seemed the best option. Besides, Dumbledore was the perfect confidant: trustworthy, loyal, and incredibly wise. Who better? Besides Sirius that is. Dumbledore, sensing the change in Harry's composure and attitude too settled into a comfortable sitting position. Noticing that Harry was staring at him, Dumbledore nodded his head in consent.
Harry took a deep breath and called back memories that had over- flooded him when he stepped into the Hogwarts Express.
"It started out normal enough. Uncle Vernon picked me up from the station and brought me home. My chores were all the same; I woke up early, made breakfast, cleaned the dishes, and did whatever else they told me to. After about a week, when I woke up, Aunt Petunia was sitting at the table, her eyes were all puffy. At first I thought that Uncle Vernon had hit her, but he was in no better shape. Except, he was rambling about how something was completely preposterous and that someone couldn't do this to him. When Dudley woke, they explained to him that Uncle Vernon was fired because of a depression that seems to be going on in the muggle world.
"He promised that everything was going to be O.K., but everything just went down from there. He couldn't get a job, no one would hire Dudley, and Aunt Petunia wasn't qualified to do anything but spy on people. So of course, being the fool that she is, Aunt Petunia rushed to the bank to make a withdrawal, but it turned out that they wouldn't let her take out any money.
"Everyone was off and on that whole week. Some days it was a quiet sympathetic day were they would actually be nice to me, and others were a crazed yell at each other blaming everyone day. I was in my room, having completed my chores, when Uncle Vernon busted into during one of the 'Blame Everyone' days. He ripped any trace of me from that room and crammed it into the cupboard under the stairs, me along with it. Normally, after 11 years of this, I wouldn't really give a damn, but I was bigger, and crammed into that stupid cupboard filled with crap. They locked me in there and wouldn't even let me out to pee! For three days!!"
Harry laughed nervously, but Dumbledore's face stayed grace.
"Why do you think they moved your room?" he asked calmly.
"Well, I suppose with the new conditions, they just wanted something new. And I cant blame them. By my absence of presence, everything was O.K. with them: one less mouth to feed, one less person to 'worry' about. And with the new room, it was like they had an edition to their house, they weren't as poor and bad-off as it seemed.
"At first I was pissed, and tried to get out, but Dudley took my wand. When I finally did kick the door down, Uncle Vernon and Dudley practically jumped me! With one mini whale and another fat..fat something! They overpowered me. They even threatened to break my wand!"
Dumbledore placed a hand on Harry's shoulder, calming him in an instant. Harry muttered a 'sorry', his shoulder slumping.
"Please, continue," Dumbledore pushed.
"I was in the cupboard at this point?" Dumbledore nodded. "How to put this..." Harry looked thoughtful for a moment before sighing. "Well, there no real nice way of putting this: they kicked me out."
"Onto the sofa, you mean?"
"No, out of the house. Aunt Petunia convinced Uncle Vernon that I was sponging off them as I had been doing my whole life. Apparently it was better for everyone if I just went out on my own. When they started to lock my things up, I tried getting them back out. I ended up getting into a nasty fight with Dudley, which I must say, I put in a few good punches, but Uncle Vernon... at least ...I think it was Uncle Vernon... hit me on the back of my head with something, and knocked me out. When I woke I had no idea where I was. Stupidly, they left me near a gas station, so I picked up a map and figured out my way back.
"I tried sneaking in at night when I was sure everyone was asleep. I made it in all right. No one on that neighborhood really locks up. I managed to find my chest and take out some paper and a bit of ink. I figured since Sirius was out of the question, Ron and Hermione were away, I could find some galleons and my wand, then signal the Knight Bus to take me to Diagon Alley. From there on I thought I could contact you.
"I got my money, but couldn't find my wand. I guess I made some sort of noise, because in no time Uncle Vernon came barreling down the stairs."
Harry cringed at the memory, taking a drink of his water. He was tempted to pour it over his head. Fighting the urge, he ran a hand through his hair instead and sighed, trying to gather his thoughts.
"Uncle Vernon wasn't happy to see me there, to say the least. I managed to get to the door with my paper and ink in tow, but he jumped me from behind. Didn't know the fat idiot could run so fast. To put it bluntly: he pretty much beat me to a pulp. After I passed out he packed me into the car and drove me to another remote place. No gas stations in sight."
Harry turned to Dumbledore to make sure he had his full attention.
"This is where everything gets fuzzy. I remember getting the paper out and what there was left in my broken ink bottle, but I don't remember writing letters. Gods, all I remember is being in terrible pain."
Dumbledore regarded Harry in silence. His stare was so intense, such that Harry had to pat the covers to reassure himself that he wasn't naked. As Dumbledore sat there, Harry's mind strayed to Sohrae. Of course, Sohrae. Harry snorted. He was about to switch his thoughts when he remembered something. Something about Sohrae? No. Not exactly Sohrae but...Harry cried out in frustration. He almost had it. Sighing remorsefully, he looked around the room, hoping something would spark his memory.
His eyes landed on a candle. A candle. What did a candle have to do with anything? Harry tried pulling his eyes away, but to no avail. Maybe there was something about the candle? As quick as lightening, the candle color was imbedded into his mind, passing before his eyes.
Red, orange. Red, orange. What did that have to do with a candle-oh! Harry sat up in bed. A flame! A flame of a candle, like fire! A fireplace! Harry turned triumphantly to Dumbledore
"There was a fireplace!" he all but shouted. "And...and it was warm, really warm."
"There was a fireplace where the Dursleys left you?" Dumbledore asked curiously.
"No, no! I remember it all now! I was going to write you. I had the remaining paper out in front of me..." Harry gestured widely, showing what position he was sitting in, where exactly the broken ink bottle and paper were. "I was writing to you and a shadow fell over me. I instinctively reached for my wand but Dudley still had it. When I looked up, I saw only eyes, it was night still, and..Well. I don't remember what happened after that, really. Wait! I.. oh damn. Hold on." Harry sat on the bed, concentrating. Eyes...eyes..Sohrae...eyes.. wait, Sohrae? Eyes like Sohrae's! Well, not like Sohrae''s. A completely different color, ugly color, but just as intense. Ah!
"I remember waking up at one point. I think I was in a cottage, wrapped in blankets, like I am now. There was a huge fire in the fireplace. I..fell asleep after that, and when I woke up, I was on the Hogwarts train. But that cant be...too much time went by."
Harry turned remorseful eyes to Dumbledore. "I'm sorry. I can't remember anything else. I didn't even remember anything until I woke up. When I was on the train, my summer was like all the years before: horrible and spent with the Dursleys."
"So, Harry. Let me understand this better. When you awoke, you were on the train." Harry nodded. "And you didn't remember that the Dursleys had kicked you out." Another nod. "Nor any other events that happened." Another nod. "We must run some test to see if and spells might be lingering on your body. I believe that Madam Pomfrey will agree when I say that your high fever repelled the memory charm."
Dumbledore rose from his seat, his anger perfectly concealed. His twinkle was back, and shining as ever. His smile reassuring Harry.
"Now get some sleep, Harry. I believe I must have another chat with Snape now."
Harry watched Dumbledore leave the room. Smiling, he yawned, snuggled into the bed, and sleep he did.
~End of Chapter Six! What do you think? Comments, Questions, Criticisms? All
accepted! Though some more than others. Feel free to inflate my ego.~
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