Chapter 20
The beginning of January had not began nearly as well as Harry had expected. Cold mornings, snow knee high, and an abundance of schoolwork was just a few of the problems that plagued Harry now. Not only had he started feeling Voldemort again through his scar and through odd body sensations, but also his best friends had, in all reality, abandoned him. He knew they were just scared, but them coping out on him had never crossed his mind.
"Harry are you still upset with us?" Asked Hermione as he was pulled out of his reverie while they sat in the Gryffindor Common Room late that Saturday night.
"No, I'm not mad, just a little disappointed is all," said Harry as he got up and walked out of the common room.
"Is he still mad?" Whispered Parvati as she and the rest of the Gryffindors that were involved in the order walked over to where Hermione, Ron, and Sarah were sitting.
"Yeah, but he'll get over it. He always does. Eventually," said Ron.
"Do you thing we did the right thing by quitting?" Asked Ginny.
As everyone looked at each other with saddened expressions, they knew that they had let Harry down, but in their own minds they felt relief.
"Is it a bad thing that I am relieved that I don't have to fight anymore?" Asked Lavender.
"If it is then I am wrong to," said Sarah.
"I'm a horrible friend," groaned Ron. "Harry would walk into You- Know-Who's back yard for any of us, and we all left him to face everything alone. I'm his best friend, and now he knows that he cannot count on me, but I still know that I can count on him. Who does that leave Harry to lean on when he needs someone?" Asked Ron.
"He has Dumbledore doesn't he?" Asked Ginny.
"Yes and no," said Hermione.
"What do you mean," Asked Katie.
"Something happened between those two after Sirius died, and it just seems that Harry doesn't feel as comfortable going to him as he used to," said Hermione.
"How so?" Asked Dean.
"Harry used to go to Dumbledore for assurance and help when he needed it, but now he wants to keeps it all to himself. Personally I think it is a little pay back for him keeping Harry in the dark for so long," said Ron.
"I know he didn't and still doesn't tell him what is going on with his order, but what else did he keep from him that would make him so angry," Asked Alicia.
"I don't know that either, but I do know that what ever it is has redefined Harry as a person. That is why he started his own order. Maybe it was to feel he was making a difference, but I think it went deeper then that," said Hermione.
"You mean he didn't tell you all what Dumbledore said to him," Asked Parvati shocked.
"No he just closes himself off to everyone when we bring it up," said Sarah.
"What ever it is must have been huge," said Ginny.
"Yeah. Do you think we should tell Harry that we made a mistake, and that we still want to be in the order?" Asked Neville.
"Yeah your right," mumbled Neville after everyone hung their heads low.
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"They quit, what do you mean they quit?" Asked Tonks shocked.
"Yes, I'm afraid so Nymphadora. Harry's order members have resigned, and no longer want to be a part of this war. That is why I have called this meeting here today," said Dumbledore.
"Well, I bet Potter is pretty upset with everyone right about now," growled Moody.
"Poor Harry," groaned Tonks.
"Well, I hate to say this, but I am happy. They were after all only children," said Mrs. Weasley.
"Now at least we don't have to worry about them going off on their own," sighed McGonagall.
"Don't worry, Potter seems to find himself in the middle of everything he shouldn't be, so rest assured if something were to come up, he'll be there messing things up again," Drawled Snape.
"Shove it Snape!" Snapped Tonks.
"I'm just stating the obvious," said Snape with a smirk.
"How is he taken it?" Asked Remus glaring at Snape.
"Ah, I believe Harry knew that this day would be coming sooner or later," sighed Dumbledore. However, he has merrily moved on without them, for I see him practicing his magical abilities every night on his own."
"The boy is coming along quite nicely," said Moody.
"That he is, that he is," grinned Dumbledore.
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Later that night Harry lay awake in bed long after the rest of his housemates had fallen to sleep. He wished very much to just be able to talk to Sirius about everything that was happening, but he knew that was no longer an option, so he tried to push everything to the back of his mind. The only problem was that for the last week he kept having the same dream over and over. He had dreamed about the saying once after he had returned back to Hogwarts this year, but it only occurred that one time. Now every night Harry could vividly see himself in the Department of Mysteries standing with Ron, Ginny, Nevielle, Luna, and Hermione while the Death Eaters talked to them. The odd thing was though that Harry could not here what they were saying, everything seemed to be on mute except for a silvery white bearded man that seemed to be speaking directly to Harry.
".at the Solstice will come a new." said the figure of the old bearded man over and over.
"What does that mean?" Harry would say over and over, but the voice would just repeat the saying louder each time till Harry thought his ears would bleed. Then he would wake up in a cold sweat.
".at the Soltice will come a new." Said the bearded man.
"What does that mean," said Harry.
".AT THE SOLTICE WILL COME A NEW." Said the bearded man.
"I don't understand, WHAT DOES THAT MEAN!" Yelled Harry.
Sitting straight up in bed, drenched in sweat Harry struggled to regain his breathing. "Again, It happened again," said Harry quietly. "I wasn't even aware I had fallen asleep."
Walking over to his trunk Harry pulled out some dry clothes to change into, along with his Muarder's Map, and his Invisibility Cloak. Maybe it's time I went to the Library," said Harry.
Slowly making his way out into the deserted hall, Harry found it was awkward moving under the cloak tonight. Probably from the lack of sleep, thought Harry as he turned down another corridor that led to the Library.
After grabbing what seemed like a month worth of reading material, Harry headed to the back corner of the library where he began to scan through the books under the light of his wand.
An hour later, and one highly flustered Harry, book after book was thrown to the side after not even mentioning a Solstice at all. "There has got to be a better way then this," groaned Harry.
"Well hard work always pays off in the long run," said a voice above Harry.
"Professor, what are you doing here?" Groaned Harry as he prepared himself for a long lecture.
"Oh child, I have not been a professor in centuries," said the voice.
"Okay, then who are you, and better yet, where are you?" Asked Harry as he began to scan the room for any sign of movement.
"Well honestly son, I knew by the dark circles under your eyes that you apparently aren't sleeping well, but I think it's time you pay a visit to the school nurse," said the voice.
"Oh, and I should listen to a voice that is speaking to me out of thin air," said Harry hotly.
"Well the last time I checked, a solid object was not thin air," said the voice in an airily tone.
"Well, if your so smart then why don't you tell me what a Solstice is, and when the next one is going to happen," said Harry quickly loosing his patience with the voice.
"Son look above you," said the voice.
"FINE!" Hissed Harry before he felt completely stupid. "Hello," said Harry as he lowered his wand so to not show his reddening face.
"No need for that dear, your face is as red as your Gryffindor colors," said the portrait. "The name is Samantha Winter, and I would be happy to answer your question, Mr. Potter."
"Really?" said Harry quickly straightening up.
"Yes dear, but you must first promise me that you will try and get some sleep after I tell you," said the portrait.
"Promise," said Harry.
"Okay, a solstice is a time of year when the sun is farthest from the celestial equator," said the portrait.
"What does it mean when a solstice becomes a new?" Asked Harry.
"That makes no sense child. "A solstice occurs twice a year, and since the winter solstice occurred five days ago, the summer solstice will occur around June 22," said the portrait.
"But what if someone told you that a solstice will bring a new?" said Harry.
"Maybe someone is telling you that something is going to change at the time a solstice takes place," said the portrait softly.
"Maybe it's a warning," said Harry. "But how do I know which solstice he was talking about."
"A warning," said the portrait confused.
"Yes, thank you very much Samantha, I think you have helped me out a great deal," said Harry.
"Well you are most very welcome Mr. Potter," said the portrait as Harry rose to leave the library.
"I better put these books back on my way out," said Harry.
"No you just leave them here dear, I'll have someone put them away for you, and my lips are sealed that we spoke tonight," said the portrait.
"Goodnight," said Harry as he slipped under the Invisibility Cloak once more and headed to the Gryffindore Common Room.
It's got to be the next summer solstice, which is why I am having all of these strange dreams, thought Harry. "Wait. That's it. That is why my scar has been burning so much lately, and why I am feeling so many odd sensations running through my body. Voldemort is planning something," said Harry to himself. Turning back around and heading towards the library again, Harry decided that it may be time he check out a few books that may not be recommended to him otherwise.
"Mr. Potter you promised you would get some sleep," said the portrait of Samantha.
"Yes I know, and I will, I just have to get a few books for some light reading first," said Harry with a smile after recalling Hermione saying the same thing in their first year.
"Very well dear, I believe you," said Samantha.
"Alohomora!" Whispered Harry unlocking the door to the restricted section and walking in.
"Silencio!" Whispered Harry. "Can't have you books spurting off at the mouth again now can we?" Laughed Harry recalling the screaming book in his first year.
"Okay now where are the books that deal with the dark arts," mumbled Harry. "If I am going to be able to prevent what ever change that is supposed to happen at the next solstice then I must be prepared," said Harry while battling his conscience about reading books teaching the dark arts. "Their only dark if you use them to bring about darkness," said Harry to himself.
Thirty minutes later Harry had three books in his arms that seemed to radiate a sort of danger from them. The Deadliest Curses, Conjuring Deadly Animals Into Battle Under Your Control, and How To Cause A Man To Die From Pain.
"Bellatrix doesn't think baby Potter can cause her the pain she has caused me, think again," said Harry with a smirk as he sat off in the direction of his dormitory. "Since the fight now rest on my shoulders then I get to decide how I fight the battle," said Harry.
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Well there is another Chapter, number twenty. Sorry it isn't as long as the other ones, but I have been really pressed for time lately, and just barely made my updating deadlines. Just a few things to add. All of you were right in that Harry was not about to back down from his destiny. Rest assured though that he will not become the next dark wizard, he just got those books to aid him in his battle. The pain book though is just meant for two people, and two people only. Two guesses who. Anyway, thanks again for your reviews and I hope you all have a good week.
The beginning of January had not began nearly as well as Harry had expected. Cold mornings, snow knee high, and an abundance of schoolwork was just a few of the problems that plagued Harry now. Not only had he started feeling Voldemort again through his scar and through odd body sensations, but also his best friends had, in all reality, abandoned him. He knew they were just scared, but them coping out on him had never crossed his mind.
"Harry are you still upset with us?" Asked Hermione as he was pulled out of his reverie while they sat in the Gryffindor Common Room late that Saturday night.
"No, I'm not mad, just a little disappointed is all," said Harry as he got up and walked out of the common room.
"Is he still mad?" Whispered Parvati as she and the rest of the Gryffindors that were involved in the order walked over to where Hermione, Ron, and Sarah were sitting.
"Yeah, but he'll get over it. He always does. Eventually," said Ron.
"Do you thing we did the right thing by quitting?" Asked Ginny.
As everyone looked at each other with saddened expressions, they knew that they had let Harry down, but in their own minds they felt relief.
"Is it a bad thing that I am relieved that I don't have to fight anymore?" Asked Lavender.
"If it is then I am wrong to," said Sarah.
"I'm a horrible friend," groaned Ron. "Harry would walk into You- Know-Who's back yard for any of us, and we all left him to face everything alone. I'm his best friend, and now he knows that he cannot count on me, but I still know that I can count on him. Who does that leave Harry to lean on when he needs someone?" Asked Ron.
"He has Dumbledore doesn't he?" Asked Ginny.
"Yes and no," said Hermione.
"What do you mean," Asked Katie.
"Something happened between those two after Sirius died, and it just seems that Harry doesn't feel as comfortable going to him as he used to," said Hermione.
"How so?" Asked Dean.
"Harry used to go to Dumbledore for assurance and help when he needed it, but now he wants to keeps it all to himself. Personally I think it is a little pay back for him keeping Harry in the dark for so long," said Ron.
"I know he didn't and still doesn't tell him what is going on with his order, but what else did he keep from him that would make him so angry," Asked Alicia.
"I don't know that either, but I do know that what ever it is has redefined Harry as a person. That is why he started his own order. Maybe it was to feel he was making a difference, but I think it went deeper then that," said Hermione.
"You mean he didn't tell you all what Dumbledore said to him," Asked Parvati shocked.
"No he just closes himself off to everyone when we bring it up," said Sarah.
"What ever it is must have been huge," said Ginny.
"Yeah. Do you think we should tell Harry that we made a mistake, and that we still want to be in the order?" Asked Neville.
"Yeah your right," mumbled Neville after everyone hung their heads low.
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"They quit, what do you mean they quit?" Asked Tonks shocked.
"Yes, I'm afraid so Nymphadora. Harry's order members have resigned, and no longer want to be a part of this war. That is why I have called this meeting here today," said Dumbledore.
"Well, I bet Potter is pretty upset with everyone right about now," growled Moody.
"Poor Harry," groaned Tonks.
"Well, I hate to say this, but I am happy. They were after all only children," said Mrs. Weasley.
"Now at least we don't have to worry about them going off on their own," sighed McGonagall.
"Don't worry, Potter seems to find himself in the middle of everything he shouldn't be, so rest assured if something were to come up, he'll be there messing things up again," Drawled Snape.
"Shove it Snape!" Snapped Tonks.
"I'm just stating the obvious," said Snape with a smirk.
"How is he taken it?" Asked Remus glaring at Snape.
"Ah, I believe Harry knew that this day would be coming sooner or later," sighed Dumbledore. However, he has merrily moved on without them, for I see him practicing his magical abilities every night on his own."
"The boy is coming along quite nicely," said Moody.
"That he is, that he is," grinned Dumbledore.
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Later that night Harry lay awake in bed long after the rest of his housemates had fallen to sleep. He wished very much to just be able to talk to Sirius about everything that was happening, but he knew that was no longer an option, so he tried to push everything to the back of his mind. The only problem was that for the last week he kept having the same dream over and over. He had dreamed about the saying once after he had returned back to Hogwarts this year, but it only occurred that one time. Now every night Harry could vividly see himself in the Department of Mysteries standing with Ron, Ginny, Nevielle, Luna, and Hermione while the Death Eaters talked to them. The odd thing was though that Harry could not here what they were saying, everything seemed to be on mute except for a silvery white bearded man that seemed to be speaking directly to Harry.
".at the Solstice will come a new." said the figure of the old bearded man over and over.
"What does that mean?" Harry would say over and over, but the voice would just repeat the saying louder each time till Harry thought his ears would bleed. Then he would wake up in a cold sweat.
".at the Soltice will come a new." Said the bearded man.
"What does that mean," said Harry.
".AT THE SOLTICE WILL COME A NEW." Said the bearded man.
"I don't understand, WHAT DOES THAT MEAN!" Yelled Harry.
Sitting straight up in bed, drenched in sweat Harry struggled to regain his breathing. "Again, It happened again," said Harry quietly. "I wasn't even aware I had fallen asleep."
Walking over to his trunk Harry pulled out some dry clothes to change into, along with his Muarder's Map, and his Invisibility Cloak. Maybe it's time I went to the Library," said Harry.
Slowly making his way out into the deserted hall, Harry found it was awkward moving under the cloak tonight. Probably from the lack of sleep, thought Harry as he turned down another corridor that led to the Library.
After grabbing what seemed like a month worth of reading material, Harry headed to the back corner of the library where he began to scan through the books under the light of his wand.
An hour later, and one highly flustered Harry, book after book was thrown to the side after not even mentioning a Solstice at all. "There has got to be a better way then this," groaned Harry.
"Well hard work always pays off in the long run," said a voice above Harry.
"Professor, what are you doing here?" Groaned Harry as he prepared himself for a long lecture.
"Oh child, I have not been a professor in centuries," said the voice.
"Okay, then who are you, and better yet, where are you?" Asked Harry as he began to scan the room for any sign of movement.
"Well honestly son, I knew by the dark circles under your eyes that you apparently aren't sleeping well, but I think it's time you pay a visit to the school nurse," said the voice.
"Oh, and I should listen to a voice that is speaking to me out of thin air," said Harry hotly.
"Well the last time I checked, a solid object was not thin air," said the voice in an airily tone.
"Well, if your so smart then why don't you tell me what a Solstice is, and when the next one is going to happen," said Harry quickly loosing his patience with the voice.
"Son look above you," said the voice.
"FINE!" Hissed Harry before he felt completely stupid. "Hello," said Harry as he lowered his wand so to not show his reddening face.
"No need for that dear, your face is as red as your Gryffindor colors," said the portrait. "The name is Samantha Winter, and I would be happy to answer your question, Mr. Potter."
"Really?" said Harry quickly straightening up.
"Yes dear, but you must first promise me that you will try and get some sleep after I tell you," said the portrait.
"Promise," said Harry.
"Okay, a solstice is a time of year when the sun is farthest from the celestial equator," said the portrait.
"What does it mean when a solstice becomes a new?" Asked Harry.
"That makes no sense child. "A solstice occurs twice a year, and since the winter solstice occurred five days ago, the summer solstice will occur around June 22," said the portrait.
"But what if someone told you that a solstice will bring a new?" said Harry.
"Maybe someone is telling you that something is going to change at the time a solstice takes place," said the portrait softly.
"Maybe it's a warning," said Harry. "But how do I know which solstice he was talking about."
"A warning," said the portrait confused.
"Yes, thank you very much Samantha, I think you have helped me out a great deal," said Harry.
"Well you are most very welcome Mr. Potter," said the portrait as Harry rose to leave the library.
"I better put these books back on my way out," said Harry.
"No you just leave them here dear, I'll have someone put them away for you, and my lips are sealed that we spoke tonight," said the portrait.
"Goodnight," said Harry as he slipped under the Invisibility Cloak once more and headed to the Gryffindore Common Room.
It's got to be the next summer solstice, which is why I am having all of these strange dreams, thought Harry. "Wait. That's it. That is why my scar has been burning so much lately, and why I am feeling so many odd sensations running through my body. Voldemort is planning something," said Harry to himself. Turning back around and heading towards the library again, Harry decided that it may be time he check out a few books that may not be recommended to him otherwise.
"Mr. Potter you promised you would get some sleep," said the portrait of Samantha.
"Yes I know, and I will, I just have to get a few books for some light reading first," said Harry with a smile after recalling Hermione saying the same thing in their first year.
"Very well dear, I believe you," said Samantha.
"Alohomora!" Whispered Harry unlocking the door to the restricted section and walking in.
"Silencio!" Whispered Harry. "Can't have you books spurting off at the mouth again now can we?" Laughed Harry recalling the screaming book in his first year.
"Okay now where are the books that deal with the dark arts," mumbled Harry. "If I am going to be able to prevent what ever change that is supposed to happen at the next solstice then I must be prepared," said Harry while battling his conscience about reading books teaching the dark arts. "Their only dark if you use them to bring about darkness," said Harry to himself.
Thirty minutes later Harry had three books in his arms that seemed to radiate a sort of danger from them. The Deadliest Curses, Conjuring Deadly Animals Into Battle Under Your Control, and How To Cause A Man To Die From Pain.
"Bellatrix doesn't think baby Potter can cause her the pain she has caused me, think again," said Harry with a smirk as he sat off in the direction of his dormitory. "Since the fight now rest on my shoulders then I get to decide how I fight the battle," said Harry.
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Well there is another Chapter, number twenty. Sorry it isn't as long as the other ones, but I have been really pressed for time lately, and just barely made my updating deadlines. Just a few things to add. All of you were right in that Harry was not about to back down from his destiny. Rest assured though that he will not become the next dark wizard, he just got those books to aid him in his battle. The pain book though is just meant for two people, and two people only. Two guesses who. Anyway, thanks again for your reviews and I hope you all have a good week.