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Harry Potter and the Mage of Lemarac
Chapter 3: A Girl of Raven Hair
Harry gazed around the room, still half in a dream daze; the little paper ravens staring back at him. How could this be? Harry's head seemed to ache as he tried to comprehend the situation.
" What.how.."he said, not sure who he was talking too. Suddenly a noise came from behind him, whipping around as fast as he could, pillow in hand, he threw it into the darkness.
" Oww! Gee Harry, what your problem," he heard Ron moan, " I thought I heard a noise, and as I start to get up, someone clobbers me in the face. Blimey, what are you-" A silence followed as Ron noticed the small white paper chain around the room. " Up for some midnight decorating session, Harry?"
" It wasn't me! I had this dream, and then she died, and then she told me something, but when I woke this was here," Harry stutter, trying to pour it all out at once.
" Calm down. Who's she?"
" The Mage."
" The Mage? Oh that's helpful, I think that maybe you ate to much junk before bed."
" What are you two going on about?" Hermione said now sitting up in bed, sleepily rubbing her eyes. " It's three in the morning, why don't you take your heart to heart some where else." Then she too noticed the chain. " Huh?"
" That is exactly- "
" Who's the Mage?" Hermione questioned, now fully awake, and staring at the signature on each of the ravens.
" I don't really know, I had this dream-" Harry began again.
" Does your scar hurt?" Hermione asked, taking complete control of the situation. That's when Harry noticed for the first time that it didn't hurt, not even the smallest twinge.
" No.." he said rubbing his head in thought.
" Was it like the dream you had last year, real time?" Hermione asked.
" No, this was different. I don't know what it was."
" Then start at the beginning, slowly," Ron said. Harry poured out everything he could remember about the dream, waking up and paper chain. After a series of thoughtful question from Hermione he remembered the note that he had received several days ago, and soon all three were scouring the room looking for it. Ron found it first.
" Who's M.L.?" He said, staring at the small piece of parchment.
" Maybe M. stands for Mage," Harry sighed.
" Yeah, but then what's the L. for," Ron stated, " Hermione, do you know about any Mage?"
" Well, truthfully, no. I've never heard of her in all my life, and I really can't do any proper checking until we get back to Hogwarts. We best leave it for tonight." She said, already walking back toward her bed.
" Alright, I agree. Let's get some rest," Harry smiled, pulling the covers back over himself. The warm waves of sleep beckoned to him, and soon he was back in dreamland.
*** *** ***
The rest of the week seemed to fade away, and soon Harry was saying good- bye to his friends. He was feeling better than he had since Sirius died and couldn't wait to get back to Hogwarts. Even his poor O.W.L. scores didn't seem to dampen his chipper mood, and almost all of his disturbing dreams stopped. The Dursleys return, and suddenly found their nephew out of his bed and even out of the house. Harry decided that the best way to deal with all of his problems at the moment was not to deal with them. The mage mystery was put aside and one week before school was set to start he received two letters by owl. The first one reminding him that term was set to start on the first of September, and the second, his list of new books for the coming year. It read:
~~Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry~~
~Sixth Year Course books~
The Standard Book of Spells (grade 6) - By Miranda Goshawk
An Advanced Guide to Transfiguration - By Emeric Switch
Magical Drafts and Potions, Volume 2 - By Arsenius Jigger
Jinxes, Hexes, and the Use of Defensive Magic - By Dramati Fatigo
Dark Forces and How to Combat Them - By Peppertin Billibus
A Students Guide to The Dark Side of Magic - By Faternous Gilybutt
" They must have a new Defense against the Dark Arts Teacher," Harry thought aloud, " But I've never seen a book list like this before....Defiantly some dark stuff..." Just then he heard a rattle by the window. The Weasley's tiny owl Pigwidgeon was throwing itself against the pane over and over again trying to force it open. The pathetic creature was out of breath and completely exhausted from its flight from the Weasley's house, when Harry pulled it inside. It had a note from Ron tied to it's leg. It read:
Hey Harry, Well pick you up at 9am the day before school starts to go Diagon Alley. Books and stuff, you know the drill. Plus I want to check out Fred and Georges shop. See you in six days.-Ron
Harry scribbled a quick response and then sent Hedwig to deliver the note. Surprisingly, his last six days with the Dursley passed in a flash, and soon Harry was packing his stuff for Hogwarts. A strange change had occurred in Harry and even though he could not place it, he didn't think that what was happening was real any more. Nothing was the same since Sirius died even if he wouldn't let himself feel the pain, even if no one acknowledged that he was gone. A piece of Harry was gone. Darkness suddenly fell over Harry.
What was he doing? Pretending that nothing was different, that this year was the same, that Hogwarts was the same. His haven from the world was no longer a haven anymore than the Dursleys house. No one will say anything to me about it, and I won't either, he thought. It will be the same, and that's the worst part. He sighed, but continued packing. Now is not the time to think these things he murmured, would there ever be a time? Tomorrow you'll be with friends, and all will be well. Pushing his emotions back in their compartment he left it for now, he had to pack.
After everything was away and all of his preparations were finalized, he let himself drift off to sleep. Tomorrow will be better, he thought as he drifted off. I wonder what the mage would say to that, she said to stay away...Away from what? All of his thoughts started to jumble together as dreamland took him, and the new Harry fell into sleep.
*** *** ***
The next morning the Weasleys' pulled up promptly at 9am in a beat up red Cadillac. Harry left a brief note for his Aunt and Uncle saying that he would see them next summer, and then bound outside toward the car. The car appeared normal from the outside, but once inside it became apparent that it had been enchanted to provide more space. He quickly popped his bags in the trunk and went around to the side door. Mr. Weasley was at the wheel with Ron and Ginny in the back. Harry took the front seat, and they were on their way.
" Good Morning, Harry," Ginny smiled shyly. Even after knowing Harry all these years, she always felt slightly timid around him, especially after a whole summer. He glanced back at her. She had changed over the summer, seemed older and more mature, or at least looked it.
" Hello Harry," Mr. Weasley said as Harry to the passenger seat, " We haven't seen you much this summer, how are you?"
" Same as always," Harry said trying his best to be cheerful.
" Good. We got a nice room set up at the Burrow, and then tomorrow, bright and early for the train," he paused, but seeing Harry wasn't much for conversation now, continued, " It seems you have a new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher."
" Yeah, lots of books this year," Harry replied dryly.
" You should have seen the fifth year list, it's huge," Ginny said. After that there wasn't much talk for the rest of the ride. The car made it's way into London, and after quickly finding a parking spot, they made there way to Diagon Alley.
It hadn't changed much from the years in the past, maybe less people, but aside from that it still had a the warm and pleasant nature that Harry always missed. He could smell the rich scents of café down the street, and hear the telltale signs of a new broom in the near by shop. He started to walk that way, Ron by his side, making idle conversation.
" Harry!" he heard a familiar voice behind him, and soon a pair of arms were pulling him into a hug.
" I saw you a couple weeks ago, Hermione. It's not like I died," he said loudly.
" Sorry Harry...I just go caught up in the moment. You haven't written me. Oh, and have you heard anything more from the Mage?" she said quietly.
" No, and we agreed not to tell anyone, we can talk about it later." He said sharply, but after seeing the look on her face he felt bad, " Sorry, I've been kind of touchy lately."
" It's alright, I understand." She said smiling. That didn't make Harry feel any better; he knew that she didn't understand. Not even a little. A pleasant conversation followed as the made there way toward the store window.
" Wow...The Galactica 360. The say it's the fastest broom on earth, it's the one all the best quiddich player ride," some kid at the window started to say. Soon most of the smaller children moved out of the way and Harry, Ron and Hermione got a good look.
Right from the first moment, Harry could have sworn that it was the most beautiful broom he had ever seen. The slick handle was made out a pine only found in the groves of Leprechauns, and the bristles were branches from the talking mahoganies of out of North America said the display sign. On the side printed in bold gold letters was, " The Galatica 360 - the Fastest Broom on Earth." He could hear Ron gasp a little as he stared at it.
" It's, it's..."Ron stammered.
" Beautiful." Harry said, awed by the broom.
" Oh Blimey! It's only a stupid broom! One would think it was made of gold the way you too look at it!" Hermione said, already starting to walk away from the display, " We have a lot of other things to buy today. Like Books, no money to waste on a silly broom." She turned around to find the boys still gawking at it.
" You don't understand, Hermione," Ron began.
" Your right. Let's go," she grasp hold of Ron's arm and began to tug him away. He followed reluctantly. Harry could have guessed that he liked the attention from Hermione more then the broom, but didn't comment. They made there way down the alley stopping once or twice when they finally reached the book store, which was packed with Hogwarts students, all fussing over their new book lists. Soon enough, they bought the supplies and started to make there way further down the alley to number ninety-three, Diagon Alley, Weasleys' Wizarding Wheezes. As they neared the shop, which seem to be doing quite well, something collided with his shoulder. His legs seemed to give out under him and he fell forward straight into a puddle of mud, the stone walkway hitting hard against his chest.
" Oww!" He yelped, half out of pain, half out of surprise.
" Sorry. I'm so sorry, just in a rush. You all right?" said a voice above him. He turned over and was looking up at a started girl, dark hair framing her white face, and small crimson lips. " All my fault, sorry, but you look okay." Ron offered him a hand and he pulled himself up. Beside from some bruises and a severely stained sweater, he seemed all right.
" Are you alright, Harry?" asked Hermione, looking as the strange girl made her way through the crowd, going back the way they came.
" Yeah, fine. What was that all about?"
" I don't really know, strange. Kind of an odd girl, and sorry about your sweater," Ron said.
" It's alright." Harry said distracted. For some reason the girl seemed familiar. " Do either of you know her?"
" Naw. I've seen her before, she must not be student," Hermione stated.
" Me neither. Why does it matter?" Ron questioned, puzzled more by the look on Harry's face.
" Oh nothing, I suppose. Just an eerie feeling," Harry said, " Nothing."
" I think that you might of hit your head when you fell, Harry," smiled Ron jokingly. Harry smiled even though he couldn't shake his strange feel, or forget her raven colored hair.
A/n: No worries, the story is really going to get started once they get to Hogwarts, that's when it will all come together. Thanks all my reviews so far, I appreciate it so much. Reviewness, please!! Thanks for reading!! Another chapter soon!!
Harry Potter and the Mage of Lemarac
Chapter 3: A Girl of Raven Hair
Harry gazed around the room, still half in a dream daze; the little paper ravens staring back at him. How could this be? Harry's head seemed to ache as he tried to comprehend the situation.
" What.how.."he said, not sure who he was talking too. Suddenly a noise came from behind him, whipping around as fast as he could, pillow in hand, he threw it into the darkness.
" Oww! Gee Harry, what your problem," he heard Ron moan, " I thought I heard a noise, and as I start to get up, someone clobbers me in the face. Blimey, what are you-" A silence followed as Ron noticed the small white paper chain around the room. " Up for some midnight decorating session, Harry?"
" It wasn't me! I had this dream, and then she died, and then she told me something, but when I woke this was here," Harry stutter, trying to pour it all out at once.
" Calm down. Who's she?"
" The Mage."
" The Mage? Oh that's helpful, I think that maybe you ate to much junk before bed."
" What are you two going on about?" Hermione said now sitting up in bed, sleepily rubbing her eyes. " It's three in the morning, why don't you take your heart to heart some where else." Then she too noticed the chain. " Huh?"
" That is exactly- "
" Who's the Mage?" Hermione questioned, now fully awake, and staring at the signature on each of the ravens.
" I don't really know, I had this dream-" Harry began again.
" Does your scar hurt?" Hermione asked, taking complete control of the situation. That's when Harry noticed for the first time that it didn't hurt, not even the smallest twinge.
" No.." he said rubbing his head in thought.
" Was it like the dream you had last year, real time?" Hermione asked.
" No, this was different. I don't know what it was."
" Then start at the beginning, slowly," Ron said. Harry poured out everything he could remember about the dream, waking up and paper chain. After a series of thoughtful question from Hermione he remembered the note that he had received several days ago, and soon all three were scouring the room looking for it. Ron found it first.
" Who's M.L.?" He said, staring at the small piece of parchment.
" Maybe M. stands for Mage," Harry sighed.
" Yeah, but then what's the L. for," Ron stated, " Hermione, do you know about any Mage?"
" Well, truthfully, no. I've never heard of her in all my life, and I really can't do any proper checking until we get back to Hogwarts. We best leave it for tonight." She said, already walking back toward her bed.
" Alright, I agree. Let's get some rest," Harry smiled, pulling the covers back over himself. The warm waves of sleep beckoned to him, and soon he was back in dreamland.
*** *** ***
The rest of the week seemed to fade away, and soon Harry was saying good- bye to his friends. He was feeling better than he had since Sirius died and couldn't wait to get back to Hogwarts. Even his poor O.W.L. scores didn't seem to dampen his chipper mood, and almost all of his disturbing dreams stopped. The Dursleys return, and suddenly found their nephew out of his bed and even out of the house. Harry decided that the best way to deal with all of his problems at the moment was not to deal with them. The mage mystery was put aside and one week before school was set to start he received two letters by owl. The first one reminding him that term was set to start on the first of September, and the second, his list of new books for the coming year. It read:
~~Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry~~
~Sixth Year Course books~
The Standard Book of Spells (grade 6) - By Miranda Goshawk
An Advanced Guide to Transfiguration - By Emeric Switch
Magical Drafts and Potions, Volume 2 - By Arsenius Jigger
Jinxes, Hexes, and the Use of Defensive Magic - By Dramati Fatigo
Dark Forces and How to Combat Them - By Peppertin Billibus
A Students Guide to The Dark Side of Magic - By Faternous Gilybutt
" They must have a new Defense against the Dark Arts Teacher," Harry thought aloud, " But I've never seen a book list like this before....Defiantly some dark stuff..." Just then he heard a rattle by the window. The Weasley's tiny owl Pigwidgeon was throwing itself against the pane over and over again trying to force it open. The pathetic creature was out of breath and completely exhausted from its flight from the Weasley's house, when Harry pulled it inside. It had a note from Ron tied to it's leg. It read:
Hey Harry, Well pick you up at 9am the day before school starts to go Diagon Alley. Books and stuff, you know the drill. Plus I want to check out Fred and Georges shop. See you in six days.-Ron
Harry scribbled a quick response and then sent Hedwig to deliver the note. Surprisingly, his last six days with the Dursley passed in a flash, and soon Harry was packing his stuff for Hogwarts. A strange change had occurred in Harry and even though he could not place it, he didn't think that what was happening was real any more. Nothing was the same since Sirius died even if he wouldn't let himself feel the pain, even if no one acknowledged that he was gone. A piece of Harry was gone. Darkness suddenly fell over Harry.
What was he doing? Pretending that nothing was different, that this year was the same, that Hogwarts was the same. His haven from the world was no longer a haven anymore than the Dursleys house. No one will say anything to me about it, and I won't either, he thought. It will be the same, and that's the worst part. He sighed, but continued packing. Now is not the time to think these things he murmured, would there ever be a time? Tomorrow you'll be with friends, and all will be well. Pushing his emotions back in their compartment he left it for now, he had to pack.
After everything was away and all of his preparations were finalized, he let himself drift off to sleep. Tomorrow will be better, he thought as he drifted off. I wonder what the mage would say to that, she said to stay away...Away from what? All of his thoughts started to jumble together as dreamland took him, and the new Harry fell into sleep.
*** *** ***
The next morning the Weasleys' pulled up promptly at 9am in a beat up red Cadillac. Harry left a brief note for his Aunt and Uncle saying that he would see them next summer, and then bound outside toward the car. The car appeared normal from the outside, but once inside it became apparent that it had been enchanted to provide more space. He quickly popped his bags in the trunk and went around to the side door. Mr. Weasley was at the wheel with Ron and Ginny in the back. Harry took the front seat, and they were on their way.
" Good Morning, Harry," Ginny smiled shyly. Even after knowing Harry all these years, she always felt slightly timid around him, especially after a whole summer. He glanced back at her. She had changed over the summer, seemed older and more mature, or at least looked it.
" Hello Harry," Mr. Weasley said as Harry to the passenger seat, " We haven't seen you much this summer, how are you?"
" Same as always," Harry said trying his best to be cheerful.
" Good. We got a nice room set up at the Burrow, and then tomorrow, bright and early for the train," he paused, but seeing Harry wasn't much for conversation now, continued, " It seems you have a new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher."
" Yeah, lots of books this year," Harry replied dryly.
" You should have seen the fifth year list, it's huge," Ginny said. After that there wasn't much talk for the rest of the ride. The car made it's way into London, and after quickly finding a parking spot, they made there way to Diagon Alley.
It hadn't changed much from the years in the past, maybe less people, but aside from that it still had a the warm and pleasant nature that Harry always missed. He could smell the rich scents of café down the street, and hear the telltale signs of a new broom in the near by shop. He started to walk that way, Ron by his side, making idle conversation.
" Harry!" he heard a familiar voice behind him, and soon a pair of arms were pulling him into a hug.
" I saw you a couple weeks ago, Hermione. It's not like I died," he said loudly.
" Sorry Harry...I just go caught up in the moment. You haven't written me. Oh, and have you heard anything more from the Mage?" she said quietly.
" No, and we agreed not to tell anyone, we can talk about it later." He said sharply, but after seeing the look on her face he felt bad, " Sorry, I've been kind of touchy lately."
" It's alright, I understand." She said smiling. That didn't make Harry feel any better; he knew that she didn't understand. Not even a little. A pleasant conversation followed as the made there way toward the store window.
" Wow...The Galactica 360. The say it's the fastest broom on earth, it's the one all the best quiddich player ride," some kid at the window started to say. Soon most of the smaller children moved out of the way and Harry, Ron and Hermione got a good look.
Right from the first moment, Harry could have sworn that it was the most beautiful broom he had ever seen. The slick handle was made out a pine only found in the groves of Leprechauns, and the bristles were branches from the talking mahoganies of out of North America said the display sign. On the side printed in bold gold letters was, " The Galatica 360 - the Fastest Broom on Earth." He could hear Ron gasp a little as he stared at it.
" It's, it's..."Ron stammered.
" Beautiful." Harry said, awed by the broom.
" Oh Blimey! It's only a stupid broom! One would think it was made of gold the way you too look at it!" Hermione said, already starting to walk away from the display, " We have a lot of other things to buy today. Like Books, no money to waste on a silly broom." She turned around to find the boys still gawking at it.
" You don't understand, Hermione," Ron began.
" Your right. Let's go," she grasp hold of Ron's arm and began to tug him away. He followed reluctantly. Harry could have guessed that he liked the attention from Hermione more then the broom, but didn't comment. They made there way down the alley stopping once or twice when they finally reached the book store, which was packed with Hogwarts students, all fussing over their new book lists. Soon enough, they bought the supplies and started to make there way further down the alley to number ninety-three, Diagon Alley, Weasleys' Wizarding Wheezes. As they neared the shop, which seem to be doing quite well, something collided with his shoulder. His legs seemed to give out under him and he fell forward straight into a puddle of mud, the stone walkway hitting hard against his chest.
" Oww!" He yelped, half out of pain, half out of surprise.
" Sorry. I'm so sorry, just in a rush. You all right?" said a voice above him. He turned over and was looking up at a started girl, dark hair framing her white face, and small crimson lips. " All my fault, sorry, but you look okay." Ron offered him a hand and he pulled himself up. Beside from some bruises and a severely stained sweater, he seemed all right.
" Are you alright, Harry?" asked Hermione, looking as the strange girl made her way through the crowd, going back the way they came.
" Yeah, fine. What was that all about?"
" I don't really know, strange. Kind of an odd girl, and sorry about your sweater," Ron said.
" It's alright." Harry said distracted. For some reason the girl seemed familiar. " Do either of you know her?"
" Naw. I've seen her before, she must not be student," Hermione stated.
" Me neither. Why does it matter?" Ron questioned, puzzled more by the look on Harry's face.
" Oh nothing, I suppose. Just an eerie feeling," Harry said, " Nothing."
" I think that you might of hit your head when you fell, Harry," smiled Ron jokingly. Harry smiled even though he couldn't shake his strange feel, or forget her raven colored hair.
A/n: No worries, the story is really going to get started once they get to Hogwarts, that's when it will all come together. Thanks all my reviews so far, I appreciate it so much. Reviewness, please!! Thanks for reading!! Another chapter soon!!