HARRY POTTER AND THE SEERS' TRUTH
By Lady Lestrange
Child of Gryffindor
Chapter 30
10 REVIEWS. Here's the new chapter—I really hate blackmailing you into reviewing, but hey, I'm a Slytherin. It's in my nature, so when there are 10 reviews for this chapter, the next one will magically appear. LOL Love my readers and reviewers. Answers to reviews follow the story.
Disclaimer: The Harry Potter characters and previous situations belong to JK Rowlings. No infringement is meant or implied. No money is made from this Fanfic. THANKS JK.
--LADY LESTRANGE
***
(A/N: I've been reading a number of fanfics in installments like this one myself, and find it is sometimes hard to remember exactly what has happened before-In a fic as complex as this one is, I thought having a reminder may be helpful for you. If you want to skip it, just page down FOUR times. --Lady Lestrange)
UP TO THIS POINT: Parvati has been having dreams and visions about the Dark Lord, Harry and a Prophecy Child. So far, they are not sure who the prophecy child is, and it is important for them to find him/her. The Sorting Hat is not sorting, so the students have "little brothers and sisters" to show around. The dream team thinks that The Sorting Hat failing is a plot to hide the Prophecy child from the teachers and anyone who can help insure that he/she stays on the side of light. No one is sure that the brothers and sisters actually belong to the house they are currently in.
The Hogwarts Express has been attacked. Dark Marks have been in the sky. The floo network is compromised. The Minister of Magic has been turned. Snape is now teaching both Defense and Advanced Defense, but it looks like Advanced Defense is just an excuse to let the Slytherins and Ginny and Edward visit the Dark Lord. Mrs. Figg is teaching potions and we know very little about her so far, except that she was against Dumbledore's suggestion to make Poly Juice Potion.
Beatrice is an animagus, a bunny. Edward's granny looks like she could have given the Dursleys a few pointers on cruelty. Slytherin is a house at war according to Snape, divided between Death Eaters and those who want to stay on the side of light. Harry uses his Invisibility Cloak and finds out when it is ripped, the Invisibility spell ceases. There is an unwelcome addition to Myrtle's bathroom, Olive Hornby. Peeves is his usual annoying self, but the Baron seems to have a little less control over him.
Samara, for some reason, lofts some wicked, powerful curses. She doesn't look like she has total control over them, which isn't really surprising since she's learned magic on her own from a book, that Harry is sure is a dark book. She seems to like Draco, but don't assume this is a romance. It is not. Ginny is still hearing voices in her head. Harry's scar is hurting more, and neither he nor Ginny know what this means. Ginny is closer with Harry this year, but again, not romantically. There is Edward, the new Gryffindor, who seems interested in Ginny, but Ginny really hasn't gotten over Tom.
We find out about Neville's powerful auror parents. We learn that Neville has a memory charm that was put on him as a baby. He's a more powerful wizard than anyone ever thought as evidenced by his yew wand and the way he reacts to Snape's ministrations in trying to remove the memory charm. We might wonder why Snape is trying to do this himself, instead of enlisting the help of Madam Pomfrey. Sirius and Lupin are on "fieldtrips" with the sixth and seventh years.
Of course we can also wonder why Snape is so determined to teach his classes advanced spells like the Patronus, or we can just chalk it up to Snape, being mean. The Fifth year class starts apparition classes and we meet Professor Sinistra. We also visit Hufflepuff, where we see The Wall, and Slytherin house, where we discover, to our amazement, a magic room that Draco shares with Samara, but Samara has a very unslytherin use for the room. Ravenclaw to come next weekend.
The chapter, CHAINED AND CHARMED, takes place at the same time as DANCING IS AN OUT OF BODY EXPERIENCE-when Samara was in Slytherin, dancing. It is Saturday afternoon. Harry and the Gryffindors examine Samara's Dark Book, after they come back from lunch. They find an extreme potion, and decide they need to make a trip to the Chamber of Secrets. Ghastly Ghostly Dinner is when Gryffindor's meet with Samara after her little trip to Slytherin. Samara and Beatrice are persuaded by Edward to help him steal his snake back from his brother Ethan. Things get a little out of hand, and Samara learns more about Slytherin than she ever wanted to know.
Now the Gryffindors are mad at her. Samara wants to make up and be friends with them, but is it possible to befriend both Harry Potter and Draco Malfoy? How far will she go to make up, or will she just find some valuable information to store away for future use? (So, don't you want one of those Tee shirts?)
LIONS AND TIGERS: We see a very stressed out Snap both in Harry's memory of what happened with Snap and Neville and in the actual DADA class. We find out Trelawney doesn't want Samara in her class and Samara decides to take Ancient Runes instead. McGonagall assures Samara that Trelawney has done her a favor. McGonagall further talks to Samara about her experiences in Gryffindor, opening the door to give Samara someone to talk to, if she so chooses. We also learned lots more about animagi in McGonagall's class. Snape dismisses the Gryffifndors and keeps the Slytherins after class. We find out it's because Snape wants them to practice their patronus because the Slytherins are so lousy at the spell. Could it be because there are so few happy memories to chose from? In DRAGON BREATH AND BLUDGER BATS, Ginny and Edward set the Slytherins up with fire mints, and Samara gets extremely angry at them both because they hurt her friends. In an effort to contain her anger, she goes to the Quiddich pitch where she meets Fred and George. After lobbing a few quaffles at them in her anger, they decide to ask her to be a Beater for Gryffindor. She refuses, but later when she talks to Draco, he is not very nice to her, (hey, who said Draco was a nice guy?) so she wonders whether or not she should take the Beater job. In WISH IT REAL; WISH IT NOT we see into one of Ginny's dreams. If you don't remember this dream, go and re-read chapter 28. In Chapter 29, THE SPELLING BEE, Samara is feeling homesick and friendless until Draco invites Samara back to Slytherin. Also, includes a short intro into what's coming up in potions class.
AND NOW ON TO THE STORY:
Child of Gryffindor
Chapter 30
After class on Thursday, Harry Potter donned his Invisibility cloak and went with Neville to visit Snape for another memory session.
"Now, remember, Neville, don't talk to me."
"Neville smiled. Thanks Harry. I appreciate your coming with me."
Harry had decided to tell Neville what Snape was doing, because Neville didn't seem to remember the sessions and that concerned Harry. He felt somewhat closer to Neville now that he knew that if Neville's parents hadn't been put into St. Mongo's he might have had a very different life as Neville's adoptive brother.
"I suppose you are pretty proud of that patronus of yours, aren't you," sneered Snape as Neville entered the DADA classroom for another memory session.
"Y-yes, sir," said Neville, unconsciously looking behind him for the Invisible Harry Potter.
"Well, let's see if it did any good, shall we?" said Snape taking out his wand and examining it's worn surface with feigned interest.
"Sir?"
"Sometimes, Longbottom, strong magics interfere with those little annoyances that one wizard can place on another."
"I don't understand," said Neville.
"I would be surprised if you did," replied Snape. "Memory charms. Blockages. Obliviations. Imperious."
Neville stared blandly at him and Snape stared back.
"Imperious. You do realize that is an unforgivable curse, don't you, Longbottom?"
"Yes, sir."
"And if you use it on another wizard, you go to Askaban?"
"Yes, sir."
"No exceptions."
"Sir?"
"So, let's see if you still have the urge to try to use the Imperious Curse on me—"
"What?" Neville looked horrified. "I couldn't—"
"That's right," said Snape nastily. "You couldn't. Remember that. Now. Let's make this a little more personal. Let's begin to unravel your memory charm," said Snape.
"Immediately Neville's wand was out. "Imperio!" He shouted, but before he could tell Snape to do anything, Snape had thrown off the Imperious curse and told Neville to sit down. Neville still held his wand and Snape did not tell him to put it away.
"Obviously, the magic of your patronus didn't interfere." Snape sighed. "I had hoped it would, but of course the wand muted the magic."
"Is that a—bad thing?"
"No, Neville," said Snape. "Today, I want to go over Memory Charms."
Neville sat quietly listening.
"Specifically your memory charm," said Snape.
Neville did not react at once. He and Snape just looked at each other. At last, Neville spoke. "A memory charm I should do for class?" he asked confusedly.
"No Neville, the memory charm that someone placed upon you," said Snape.
Instantly, Neville's wand was out and he tried to Imperio, Snape. Again Snape threw off the spell. After several more variations of ways to mention Neville's memory charm and several more Imperious curses, both Snape and Neville were sweating profusely. To Harry, it seemed like they were doing the same things over and over again. He had a headache. He wondered if he should really be here. Maybe he should just -
He was forcibly brought back to the present, when Neville shouted: "Get away from me!" and magically pushed Snape hard enough to cause him to lose his balance. Immediately Neville, flushed and sweating was standing over him. He continued with the Imperious curse and Harry realized that it took several minutes before Snape fought it off this time. "Well, well, well," he said at last, picking himself up from the floor. "I think we've finally progressed to the next level. Now that we know who the wizard was who placed this enchantment."
"Are you alright professor?" Asked Neville. "What were you doing on the floor?"
"I'll ask the questions, Longbottom," said Snape irritably.
"Yes sir."
It was very strange to watch Neville fight Snape with Imperio one minute and the next be polite and respectful. He wondered how it seemed to Snape. It's a wonder he wasn't taking away house points.
"Shouldn't we get started?" asked Neville, a trace of confusion on his face as the memory charm worked against him.
"Yes, we should," said Professor Snape. " Sit down please. Petrificus Totalis!"
Neville slumped and then stiffened in the chair. "I'm going to show you exactly who put the memory charm on you Neville," he said. "It was not Professor Moody as you supposed. It was Barty Crouch, Jr.--the same wizard who tortured your parents. I'm going to show you some things in my penseive—things that will help you to understand that you need to fight this enchantment." Snape grimaced. "That's fine," he said as Neville's body twitched in the chair. "You can try to fight the Petrificus Totalis spell. That should tire you out and weaken your imperio a bit."
Immediately, Neville got still.
"I want to show you the events that followed the Tri-Wizard Tournament last year," said Snape. "You may or may not know that your friend, Harry Potter, was transported via portkey to Voldemort, but Dumbledore announced to the whole school that Voldemort killed Cedric Diggory at that encounter. Would you like to know who enchanted the portkey? It was Barty Crouch, Jr. masquerading as Professor Moody. Here he is, as I remember him, that night," said Snape.
Neville glanced down at the pensieve to see Moody freshly transformed into Barty Crouch, Jr. Then he listened to Barty Crouch, Jr. confess to using polyjuice potion to impersonate Moody so that he could serve Voldemort. He listened to the house elf trying to tell Barty Crouch to be quiet, and he listened to Dumbledore's pronouncements about Barty Crouch, Jr.
Harry Potter listened too, seeing himself in that picture. He was looking worn and sick, like he was ready to collapse at any moment. Every inch of his flesh was hurting because of Voldemort's crucious curses. He remembered that day vividly—too vividly. It was unnerving to think that he had escaped Voldemort, only to walk right into his Death Eater's hands.
Sweat began to bead on Neville's brow as he watched, and after a few minutes, Snape decided to remove the Petrificus Totalis spell.
Neville still did not move. He watched the pensive, seemingly engrossed in its contents. Finally, he turned to Snape. "I remember," he said simply.
"What do you remember?" asked Snape.
"Last year. I was in class and Moody—um—I guess it was Crouch—put the crucious curse on spiders. When I saw them—them—" Neville twitched as if in sympathy.
"Go on," said Snape.
"I guess I was pretty upset. I couldn't talk right. I remembered Crouch doing that to my parents. I REMEMBERED. Then he—Moody took me into his office—we talked—but I was afraid to tell him—not because he was Crouch or anything. I just wanted to tell Dumbledore. I guess Moody—even being Moody scared me a little. I wanted to get out of there. He knew. He knew I remembered something. I don't know how he knew, but he did. He gave me some tea. I didn't drink it. I told him I wasn't thirsty, and he—he imperioed me—made me drink it and then, he did another spell. It made me feel very confused. Some sort of confoundus, I think. He told me if anyone asked me questions about that night. I should imperio them and tell them that they didn't want to know about it—"
Neville paused. "Why did he do that. I still can't remember anything about that night. All I remembered was that Barty Crouch was with HER. I remembered that Barty Crouch hurt my parents—but I didn't know that Moody was Crouch."
"That was enough," said Snape. "Barty Crouch didn't want anyone to be able to testify that he was one of the Death Eaters that tortured your parents. Did you practice imperio with him?" asked Snape.
"Yes," said Neville. "Over and over again." Neville's voice dropped to a whisper. "He had a device—a little hourglass with sand in it--that somehow made time go backwards."
"A time turner," said Snape sourly. "Probably Moody's. That changes things a bit."
"Why?" asked Neville.
"Well, because it usually takes at least as long to break a memory spell, as it takes to make that same memory spell. Did he do anything else, besides imperio?"
"No Sir," said Neville. "I don't believe so—"
"Very well, then," said Snape. "I want you to fight my imperio, first. I want you to feel what it feels like to break it. Now, we'll proceed. No. Put your wand down. You'll need your will, not your wand."
Snape raised his wand. "Imperio!" he said. "Longbottom. Move to that chair over there." Snape gestured and Neville leaped up and began moving.
With a snort of disgust, Snape removed the imperio.
"Longbottom! You're supposed to fight it! I'm telling you now. I do not want you to move from that chair! Do you understand?"
"Yes, sir," said Neville.
After ten tries, Neville was still jumping up to move as soon as Snape imperioed him. Harry could tell that Snape was getting angry and frustrated because Neville seemed to have no will to fight Snape.
"I think I'm just so used to listening to you, Sir, and wanting to do what you tell me to—and—and it just seems so pleasant t-to pl-please you."
"When have you ever done what you were told?" growled Snape. "Please me? When?" Snape shook his head in disgust. "Let's just try Crouch's imperio."
"I want you tell me everything you remember about the night your parents were tortured by Barty Crouch—" began Snape.
Neville was on his feet, wand in hand. "Imp—" he began, stuttering on the word. "Imper-" He was biting his lip. "Imperio!" he finally choked out.
"Sectum!" spat Snape, and a deep bloody wound slashed across Neville's wand arm. He dropped his wand, to clutch the back of his wrist. "There are laws against using that curse, Neville. The cut I just gave you is child's play in comparison to the dementers of Askaban. Do you understand that you have to fight this?"
"Yes, sir."
"Let's try again," said Snape. "The night your parents were tortured by Barty Crouch—"
Neville raised his bleeding wand arm, "Im—"he began. "Imp—" "Imperio!"
"Sectum!" cried Snape. "Do you remember your parents were tortured by Barty Crouch—"
By the fifth time Snape had cut Neville, he started to weep, but still managed to raise his wand for the Imperio spell, then on the sixth imperio, Snape switched spells.
"Ulceris!" cried Snape and angry yellow pustules broke out on Neville's hand, swelling his fingers until he could barely close them around the wand."
"Please, Please," Neville cried. "I can't help it. Crouch's spell is too strong."
"Crouch is dead," said Snape. "Worse than dead."
"Then, why? Why is it so hard to break," whined Neville.
"Because it is attached to the Memory Charm and she isn't dead," said Snape.
"I want you to look at something," said Snape, pulling the pensieve closer.
"My arm," whimpered Neville.
Snape looked at the blood dripping onto his classroom floor. "Pergo," he said.
"Sir?"
"When you get it right, Longbottom. Not before. There are dire consequences to Imperioing another wizard."
Neville sighed heavily. "Yes, sir." He switched his wand to his left hand, and tried to relax his swollen right fingers.
Together, Snape and Neville watched baby Neville in the penseive shatter the Longbottom's front window with his magic. "I want you to get in touch with the power that you had then. I want you to focus it on fighting Crouch. He's the one who is doing this to you. This has to be removed. Do you realize there are aurors who would send you to Askaban for much less than you've done to me here tonight?"
Neville blanched. "They wouldn't."
"Yes, they would." Said Snape, "And not so long ago, aurors were given permission to Avada anyone who performed an unforgivable. No exceptions, and often no trials. We have to eliminate this imperio to imperio anyone who speaks of the memory of that night, before we go any further. . . even if we don't get to the memories of your parents. . . even if we never get to the memories of your parents. Let's try to look at the piece of your memory where your father takes the veritaserum," said Snape. "What did he say?"
Neville's wand was back in his right hand, but he was sobbing too hard to get the word out. He stood, holding his wand and shaking.
Snape's wand was also drawn, but he did nothing with it.
At last Neville opened his fingers and dropped his wand.
Snape healed the ulcers on Neville's wand arm.
"I did it," whispered Neville in amazement.
"Don't congratulate yourself yet, Longbottom," said Snape as he asked yet another question about the Longbottom's torture, and Neville dove for his wand.
Snape banished it to the far side of the room.
Neville accioed it back.
Several more tries finally saw Neville fighting the imperio successfully, and Snape healing more of Neville's wounds.
When they were finished, Neville had successfully fought off the imperio to imperio Snape at least 20 times. Neville said softly, "I want to remember what happened here tonight."
"I have never put a memory charm of any kind on you Longbottom. If you want to remember, I'm sure it is in your capacity to do so. We'll skip tomorrow," said Snape distastefully. "I have other plans. Come back on Tuesday after double defense and we'll try to work on the rest of this mess."
"Yes, sir," said Neville. "Thank you sir. Sir—"
"Yes, Longbottom?" said Snape, rubbing his forehead as if he were suddenly very tired.
"I just wondered—do you think that this has anything to do with the fact that I'm forgetful—and maybe—I would have been a better wizard if--"
"Undoubtedly," interrupted Snape. "But don't get too excited about it. I doubt that your memory is repairable."
"Oh." Neville left the room looking tremendously downhearted.
Harry Potter, under his Invisibility Cloak followed him.
"Harry?" whispered Neville after a moment. "Harry? Are you there?"
"I'm here," said Harry, pulling off the Invisibility Cloak and stuffing it into his pocket.
"Did you see?"
"Yes," said Harry, "I wonder what he meant about strong magic interfering with the memory charm. What kind of spell?"
"I don't know," said Neville.
"And I almost hexed him when he started cutting you—That sadistic—"
"Oh. I'm glad you didn't," said Neville. "Then Snape would have been mad at you."
"But Neville—" began Harry.
"Anyway," said Neville, "When you are first imperioed, it's almost pleasant. There's a soft, floating feeling like you don't have a care in the world."
"I know," said Harry.
"You know? Who imperioed you? Oh right." Neville remembered. "Moody—or a guess we should call him Crouch."
"And Voldemort," Harry thought, but he said nothing aloud.
"Anyway," continued Neville, "The pain kept me from going into that trance-like state. Once I was there, I couldn't fight him. As long as I felt the pain, I remembered Snape was there and I remembered what I was supposed to do."
"Are you defending Snape?" asked Harry. "The same Snape who was once your worst fear?"
Neville blushed. "Can I tell you a secret, Harry?"
Harry nodded.
"Ever since Professor Lupin's class on the bogart, I always picture Professor Snape dressed in my grandmother's dress. It really helps."
Harry burst into laughter, but he wasn't laughing for long. When they entered the Great Hall, Harry spied Ginny sitting practically on Edward's lap. Although they had some schoolbooks scattered around them, it didn't look like they were intent on studying.
"I'll see you later," Neville said uncomfortably as he followed the direction Harry was looking.
"Sure," said Harry shortly.
"And thanks, Harry."
==
Harry walked straight over to Edward and Ginny.
"Excuse me," he said quickly, before he could lose his nerve. "Ginny can I talk to you a minute." Edward shrugged, stood up, and gathered his books. "I'll see you at supper," he said. "I need to go up to the dorm before we go down to eat anyway."
Harry waited until he was out of earshot before sitting on the sofa that Edward had vacated. He reached out and put his hand on Ginny's arm. She turned toward him with the same open, trusting smile that she always had. She even had that open innocence in her eyes when she woke in his arms in the Chamber of Secrets. In fact, that was probably the last time he had laid his hands on her for any reason, and then, she was only eleven and he was twelve, but he was no longer twelve, and she was certainly no longer eleven.
"Ginny," he waited for Parvati and Lavendar to pass them on their way up to the girl's dorm. "Ginny, I really don't think you should—should—" What on earth was he saying? She was Ron's baby sister. Ron was like a brother to him. That made Ginny—what? "Ginny," he started again. "I've noticed that you have been spending a lot of time with Edward."
"I didn't do it so you would notice, Harry." she said softly.
"Well—" Harry took a deep breath. This was harder than he expected. "I don't think Edward is right for you." He said quickly.
Something like amusement passed her eyes or was it anger? "Why's that?" she said turning her innocent doe-like eyes on him.
He squelched down any romantic feelings that he was entertaining. This was Ron's sister, and if they began a relationship and it didn't work out, it would destroy Ron's friendship with him. That couldn't happen. He remembered how awful he felt when Ron wasn't talking to him last year.
"I just," Harry fumbled for the right words. "I don't think—he—His brother's a Slytherin, for Gosh sakes!"
"Considering Dudley," said Ginny, "I would think you would be more understanding. After all, you can't choose your relatives."
"You don't understand—" Harry began.
"Oh, I think I understand perfectly," Ginny said, as she dropped her book into her bag. "You have no right to say anything about Edward." She stood and started to walk away and then turned back. "I have enough people telling me what to do. I have six brothers, Harry," she said. "I certainly don't need another one."
Harry took several deep breaths and debated whether or not he should call her back.
"I don't want to be your brother," hissed Harry through clenched teeth, but she didn't hear him. She had already disappeared out the Portrait hole to the Great Hall.
Harry put his face in his hands. That did not work out the way he had planned. After a few minutes he headed up to his dorm to put his books away.
"Hey Ron!"
"He's not here," said Neville. "Maybe they already went down to supper."
"Maybe," said Harry. "Dropping his books and turning back towards the door."
==
When Harry and Neville entered the Great Hall supper had already begun, but Ron and Hermione weren't there yet. Harry was scanning the Great Hall, when he saw a flash of red hair, but it wasn't Ron. It was Ginny—surrounded by Slytherins.
"Great," thought Harry. Just great. He just warned her about Edward, and where does she go? The Slytherin table. Neither Edward nor Samara was in sight, but he had no doubt that it was their influence that put Ginny among the Slytherins. He hesitated, wondering whether he should remain here to see that she was all right or go and get reinforcements, namely Ron. Unfortunately, he didn't know where Ron was-
Harry moved hesitantly toward the Gryffindor table. "Does any one know where Ron and Hermione are?" Harry asked.
"They were at the library," said Lou, "But they left before me. Aren't they back?"
"No," said Harry, his eyes never leaving Ginny's fiery tresses. "I was hoping Ron was down here—"
Seemus followed Harry's gaze over to the Slytherin table, and Ginny. "Uh Oh," he said. "Does she look like she needs rescuing?"
"Stay out of it, Seemus," warned Lavender.
Neville glanced over at the side of the Great Hall where Ginny was standing with the Slytherins. "Harry," said Neville with a frown. "I don't think she'd appreciate your rescuing her—"
==
On the other side of the Great Hall, Ginny had pulled together her courage to actually talk to the Slytherins when it wasn't class time. She caught up with Pansy and Lauren and their first years. They looked at her like she was obviously lost—on the wrong side of the Great Hall.
"I can't do this," thought Ginny.
"Sure you can, Ginny Love—"
"I just cursed them."
"It doesn't matter. They'll get over it—Unless you want me to help you—"
"No!"
"Lauren," called Ginny. "Um—mm. Professor Snape said for me to see you or Pansy to learn to pull power from the Elementals. U-m—mm. I was wondering if you could help me a little. I haven't been able to get it yet, and ADADA is tomorrow morning…"
"Don't beg, Ginny Love—"
Lauren looked at her with amazement.
" I think she's having trouble speaking," said Pansy nastily. "Probably her mouth still hurts." She paused and looked at the curious first years. "Go and sit down," Pansy ordered their first years. "This isn't your business."
"Look, I know that was a pretty mean joke," said Ginny. "But it wasn't just me—in fact, it wasn't even my idea. It was Edward's."
Pansy and Lauren exchanged glances. "Too bad about not knowing how to pull from the Elementals," said Pansy. "Maybe you should drop the class. Oh, that's right, Snape wouldn't let you. Guess you'll just have to fail."
Lauren nudged Pansy anxiously.
"I never said I was quitting," retorted Ginny.
"Just you out of—how many Gryffindors?—managed to take Advanced Defense—You could ask Edward, couldn't you? Isn't he the only other third year Gryffindor?" interrupted Lauren.
"I'm fourth year," retorted Ginny.
"Oh, well, and you couldn't convince any of your classmates to join you in Snape's class—out of all—how many—"Pansy said.
"Careful, Ginny Love---"
"There's just me, Eloise Midgin and Colin Creevey in fourth year," said Ginny.
Pansy shrugged "Oh well, maybe you could ask Potter. He always manages to save the day, doesn't he?" Pansy said as she and Lauren moved off to joining the other Slytherins and Ron came up and put an arm around Ginny. "What was that all about?" he asked.
"Oh nothing. I just asked them," she stopped. "Something about Advanced Defense class. They weren't very helpful."
"I'll bet," said Ron as they headed over to the Gryffindor table together. As Ginny sat with her brother and Harry and Hermione, she avoided Harry's gaze by glancing at the other side of the table where Neville and Lou were sitting .
"It was incredible," said Neville. "I mean, I tried to imperio him and he didn't even take house points."
"Who?" asked Samara as she sat with them.
"Snape," replied Neville.
"Is this the same Snape I know?" asked Samara.
Neville began explaining exactly what had happened with the memory charm, although he still stuttered, when he spoke of it, he managed to tell them much of what he knew.
"So did he remove the memory charm?" asked Lou. "Or just the imperio to imperio anyone who tried to talk to you about the memory charm."
Neville shook his head. "I know there are still things about my parents I don't know."
"I think this is a job for Madam Pomfrey, not Snape," said Samara. Her eyes narrowed. "He hardly seems the type to do this out of the kindness of his heart."
"I agree," said Lou, sympathetically. "Memory charms can be powerful and destructive. Removing them can be even trickier. You could lose part of your magic, Neville."
"According to Snape," said Neville sadly, "I already have. I certainly don't have my parents' bravery—"
"But you were sorted into Gryffindor," said Samara. "With the Sorting Hat."
"Yeah, but sometimes I wonder if I really belong here."
"After that lion patronus? Are you kidding?" said Beatrice.
"That was good," said Samara. "I was really impressed."
"But my parents were smart. I never remember anything!"
"Well, that could be the memory charm," said Lou. "Once it is all off, you may not have so much trouble remembering your lessons."
"I guess, ," said Neville. "I'm almost as afraid to find out as I am to continue to be in the dark. I don't want to be an auror or a Ministry official. I'm nothing special. I just want to be safe. I don't even want to be too smart or too brave or anything. If you're too smart you have keep up those grades all the time, and if you're too brave, you could get yourself killed."
Samara had to laugh. He sounded remarkably like Draco, talking about the Gryffindors. "So brave—So dead—"
==
After dinner, the trio had congregated in Hermione's room. Beatrice and Samara had gone to Hufflepuff—to make—tee shirts?? Lavender and Parvati were out with Seemus and Dean. Only Ginny was still in the room, silently studying her ADADA. She didn't bring up the subject of Samara or their continued estrangement. It didn't do any good and only annoyed her brother. Harry didn't seem so vindictive, but Ginny had stopped making assumptions about him years ago. She went back to her ADADA.
The longer she looked at it, the more she realized that she needed help—either Samara's or Lauren's or Pansy's—as Snape suggested. Reading the theory was not helping her to do the magic.
She closed the book with a sigh and looked at Harry and Ron, both sitting cross-legged on Hermione's bed. Crumpled papers were strewn out between them.
"Yes," said Hermione solemnly. "I'm sure these are the enchantments that put the Founder's gifts in the Hat."
"I thought you were working on the prophecy," said Ginny.
"Actually," replied Hermione. "We think that if we solve the problem of how the Sorting Hat was tampered with, we might also solve the prophecy. We think that Salazar Slytherin planned for the Hat to fail on the year that the prophecy child came to Hogwarts. That way, it would leave the teachers guessing who the prophecy child was."
'Wait," said Ginny. "Salazar Slytherin couldn't know about Trelawney's prediction and only the teachers knew about it anyway!"
"And the people who were there when she first said it," replied Harry.
"There's ample evidence that Helga Hufflepuff was a seer," said Hermione. "But her predictions were never actually recorded in the library files."
"Helga, a seer, I don't remember learning that," said Ginny. "Who recorded her seeings?"
"According to Hermione, they are mentioned in a number of Salazar Slytherin's writings," replied Ron. "She's still trying to find the actual predictions instead of Salazar's interpretation of them. It's creepy, but he apparently was the only one who believed her."
"Right, but—" Ginny paused, and stared open mouthed "Salazar and Helga?" she said thoughtfully.
"It doesn't appear that it was an equal partnership," said Hermione.
"Yeah," said Ron. "It was give and take: Helga did the giving and Salazar did the taking. Who are we working on, now?"
"Godric Gryffindor, of course," said Harry.
Ron Guffawed.
"Well, maybe we'll get some inspiration from Gryfffindor," said Hermione. "We certainly aren't getting anywhere on Salazar's."
"But seriously, we already know that the gift is a sword," said Harry.
Nonetheless, Hermione began to read:
When your bravery is such that you don't count the cost
And you press onward to Right; though all seems to be lost.
Oh Child of Gryffindor, then be brave and be bold!
The hilt joins your Heart to mine. Grip it. Take hold.
The ruby's asterism marks you as Evil's foe
The gemstone's clarity brings good luck from woe,
Peace through power, fulfilling love and restful sleep.
Those are all properties of rubies," said Hermione. "Love, luck, peace, restful sleep—"
"I could use some of that," interrupted Ginny.
"What's that?" asked Harry.
"Restful sleep."
"I wish I could help," said Ron.
"Don't worry about it," said Ginny. "I just have to practice Quiddich harder. I slept pretty well on Saturday night. Go ahead," She motioned to Hermione. "Keep reading."
Blade forged from Your Heart of past pledges you keep--
Hermione paused and looked at Harry. "Did you know the blade was forged of your magic?" she asked.
"Wicked," said Ron. "Way to go, Harry."
"I didn't know until afterwards," said Harry, rubbing his forehead absently. "If I had, I doubt I would have trusted it."
"Yes, you would have," said Ginny. "There was no other choice." They paused, their eyes meeting, each in their own way remembering their time in the chamber, but Ginny looked away.
Harry's face colored ever so slightly. "Keep reading," he told Hermione.
"Magical core of Feather of Gryffin binds me to you—"
"It's a wand," said Harry. "I didn't realize—It's a wand and a sword in one weapon."
"It appears to be," said Hermione thoughtfully.
"Oh, Bloody hell, if I had known, it would have been a lot easier to kill the thing, by just saying Avada Kadavra!" said Harry.
She continued reading.
"But 'ware. In defense alone will this sword be true."
"It seems pretty straightforward to me," said Ron. "It's a sword with magical properties. It could even be used as a wand."
"And don't forget," added Hermione, "Godric Gryffindor trusted his Gryffindor's enough to include their magic in the spell."
"Isn't that open-ended too?" asked Ron.
"No," said Hermione. "That's not what we are looking for—In this he allowed his Gryffindor to make the sword fit them. He probably needed their magic to make the wand part work properly. He didn't allow that Gryffindor in anyway to tamper with the Hat itself."
"Well, we know it's Salazar anyway," said Harry.
"Why? Asked Ginny. "Isn't that a little prejudiced."
"Ginny, that Diary rattled your brain. Of course it's Salazar," said Ron. "Don't be stupid."
Ginny shrugged and went back to her reading, but the conversation about the Sorting Hat spells kept creeping back into her ears. She put the ADADA book away again. They were arguing about the Ravenclaw interpretation.
"It's a book," said Hermione.
"Of course it's a book," said Ron, "But what else does it say?" He began reading.
So Eagle seeks, when sar-ah-in-dip-ity lacks
When present spells fail you and ten-ten-e—
"Hell, it's not even in English!" shouted Ron.
"Of course it is," said Hermione.
"So what's it mean then?" asked Ron, throwing the parchment at her.
"Well, let's see—" Hermione began to read.
So Eagle seeks, when serendipity lacks
When present spells fail you and tenebrous are facts
"Stop," said Ron. "Explain."
"Ok, first it's a Eagle seeking, that's a Ravenclaw—"
"I got that part," spat Ron.
"Serendipity—that's when things just fall into place the right way—"
"Gee, I wish that happened once in a while," interrupted Harry.
"And present spells fail you and tenebrous are facts—I guess—facts that are easily misunderstood or mistaken."
Though ubiquitous magic may inspire you to proceed
"Magic, present everywhere, all around you—"
Perspicacious knowledge is only wisdom's seed.
"The best knowledge is only wisdom's seed—"
Hermione paused.
"What's the matter?" asked Ron. "One of those Ravenclaw words got you stumped?"
"No, not really." Said Hermione. "I was just thinking that this next line allows the person who is getting the gift to participate again. It says:
Discerning that nothing dawns without thought
Ascertain and embrace what your mind has brought:
It's the Ravenclaw's own thoughts that bring the book to hand.
Gray Compendium whose pages augment and renew
Aggregate knowledge of Ravenclaw vouchsafe to you
A compendium is an encyclopedia of sorts—but why gray?"
"The Gray Lady," said Harry. "Isn't she Rowenna Ravenclaw?"
"Oh of course," said Hermione. "I wasn't thinking."
"For not thinking," muttered Ginny. "You sure aren't doing bad—"
"Thanks," Hermione flashed her a smile. "It looks like this book continually updates and renews itself with all the knowledge of Ravenclaw—The Gray Lady is really something to think of this—"
"I don't know the whole legend," said Ron, "But Padma was telling me at the Yule Ball last year something about Rowenna refusing to leave her house defenseless—That's why she stayed on as a ghost. I can't remember what else Padma said. I wasn't paying much attention to her at the ball." He grinned sheepishly and Hermione grinned back.
"Ahem," said Harry.
"Let's see where was I?" asked Hermione. "OH—augment and renew. The pages keep updating themselves."
"Guess we have to wonder where it keeps its brains," said Ginny darkly.
"Well, I think there are some Ravenclaw books that could be considered, on the edge—" said Hermione.
"I know," said Ginny, looking directly at Harry. "Edward told me."
"Ginny—" began Harry, but Hermione interrupted him, her thoughts still totally on the book.
"I wouldn't mind having this one, though," Hermione's eyes were sparkling with excitement. Imagine all the knowledge of Ravenclaw in one book.
"Don't forget, she says that knowledge is only wisdom's seed, though," said Harry.
"Humm. I'd still take it," said Hermione dreamily. She continued to read.
"Opened at random for your intention
This book gives your progeny wise intervention"
"At random!" Interrupted Ginny. "Oh yeah, that book definitely has some brains of its own."
"Archaic Magic allowed to wither and wane
Will now in joyous profusion commence again!
And it looks like the book contains old magic that has been lost," concluded Hermione.
"Once again," said Harry, "Rowenna left part of the magic to her student. And we could have easily guessed that Ravenclaw would have a book, couldn't we?"
"Wow! But what a book!" said Hermione. She sat silently studying the poem.
"Could we move on to Hufflepuff?" asked Ron, taking the parchment. "Here, let me read it."
If you are a Hufflepuff both true and loyal
You've reached this point though effort and toil.
You've persevered in tasks hard and long
You've painted the story and danced the song.
When untimely Death does threaten your Lover True,
You've earned the right to give, what I've given to you:
Called Elixir of Power or Elixir of Life
This potion brewing brings war and strife.
But all that is past in the Gift that I give
Yet only once, when dying, your True Love may live.
And only if True Love for True Love is returned,
For All-That-Is—in the end—must be earned.
"That's beautiful," said Ginny. "It's so romantic." Ginny was staring misty-eyed into space.
"No it's not," said Ron. "It looks like the Elixir of Life! How could she give that as a gift?"
"That's what you read—" Harry moved to look over Ron's shoulder. "It's not for eternal life though. It can only be used once and it looks more like unicorn blood without the curse—It's a way to bring your true love back from the brink of death. Do you think Helga took the war and strife that comes with brewing the potion? Look at this line: "This potion brewing brings war and strife. But all that is past in the Gift that I give"
"—Poor Helga," muttered Ginny.
"What does she mean: All-That-Is—in the end—must be earned." How can someone earn something if they are on the brink of death?" asked Hermione. "This is harder to understand than the Ravenclaw one! Let's just move on to the Slytherin spell."
"No," said Ron. "We looked at it already. We aren't going to get anywhere with it until we get the translation. There's something missing."
"It was translated?" asked Ginny.
"Yeah, weird, huh?"
"So what was it translated from?" asked Ginny.
"We don't know yet," said Harry. "Hermione owled Viktor Krum to see if the original is at Drumstrang. We hope he can find it."
"Oh come on, Harry, think," said Ginny. "What language do you think Salazar would use?"
They were all silent for a moment, and then Harry whispered. "It couldn't be—It can't be written—you would need a different alphabet—"
"What are you talking about?" asked Ron.
"Parseltongue," said Harry. "But it couldn't be—"
"Ok," said Hermione. "There's no point in guessing. Let's just read it again. Ginny hasn't looked at it. Maybe she'll see something that we didn't—"
Harry spread out the parchment, cleared his throat and began reading—
What I put in the hat comes out in your head
Speak with my gift. You've nothing to dread.
Ginny was white-faced, clutching her ADADA book.
"What is it?" asked Ron.
"Parseltongue," whispered Ginny. "You were right, Harry. He left them parseltongue as his gift."
"Yes," said Harry "We already figured that out, but after all, what else did Salazar have to give? In comparison with the other Founders, parseltongue isn't much of a gift—So his heir could talk to snakes. We already knew that." Harry continued to read, one hand on the parchment and the other holding his head.
Slytherin who weakness abhors
Power is here—say "yes" and it's yours.
"Didn't have to earn that? Did they?" commented Ron.
Harry cleared his throat and continued.
A familiar I lend you
"Harry," said Hermione. "Are you alright. You don't look like you feel well."
"Is your scar hurting," said Ron, noticing that Harry was holding his hand over it.
"A little," said Harry rubbing his hand over his forehead and then using both hands to hold the parchment, as if he was self-conscious about the scar. "It's nothing earth shattering; just a headache." He began reading again:
A familiar I lend you; close your eyes and you'll see
A powerful ally, to bind or set free
Of evil and sloth your world she'll purge
Abominations cannot endure ambition's urge.
Open the door with your precious voice
When where and how, I leave to your choice
"No!" Ginny covered her ears. "I don't want to hear anymore. Stop! Stop! How could he leave the basilisk in the hat?"
"What?" said Hermione.
"Close your eyes and you'll see—Your world she'll purge—open the door with your voice—with parseltongue!" Ginny was shouting at them.
"He couldn't," said Harry. "He couldn't leave the basilisk in the hat. It's alive—"
"Directions then," said Ginny. "A way to find the Chamber of Secrets. We know--Tom found it."
"As bad as that is," said Harry, "And you may be right, it all happened in the past. It doesn't tell us why the Sorting Hat isn't working now."
"I don't want to hear anymore," said Ginny with a shiver. "Anyway, I have to study this ADADA. Is Edward in your room?"
"Yeah," said Harry "That's why we're here—He's painting the room."
"Painting?" repeated Ginny. "Edward?"
"He and Dean decided we needed a bit of a change," said Harry.
"Well, I need someone to study this with me." Ginny picked up her ADADA book and headed for the door. "I'll see you later."
"Ginny—" said Ron, and she turned at the door.
"I'll—Ah—see you later."
She nodded, and left without a glance at Harry Potter, who was now sitting with four of his fingers gently rubbing his scar.
Silence descended upon the room. Harry and Hermione's eyes were still on Ron.
"What did you want me to say?" asked Ron. "He is a Gryffindor."
"Nothing Ron," said Hermione. "There was nothing you could say. She's old enough to take care of herself." Harry was staring silently at the print in front of him. Go ahead, Harry. Finish reading it," said Hermione.
"Never mind," said Ron, looking at Harry. "I'll read."
Ron picked up the parchment and began where they had left off.
For I've left bilinguis in this Hat that Sorts
My instructions, My power, your brains and cohorts
"Bilinguis?" questioned Harry. "Why Latin now? It's not a spell—
"Not that I know of," said Hermione, "But I'm hardly an authority. It usually just means to allow someone to talk a different language, so it is exactly what we thought it was."
"No," said Ron, softly. "I has another more obscure meaning—it means 'two-tongued'. It could mean just two languages, but it could also mean, saying one thing and meaning another. I grew up with Latin. When it was spoken, it had slang just like any other language. Most of it is forgotten now, but a Slytherin—or an old wizarding family would know.
"So we are on the right track," breathed Hermione.
"Looks like—" muttered Harry as he continued to read.
Be brave as the brave and wise as the wise
For with your toil, your ambition will rise.
"Do you really think it's the basilisk?" asked Hermione.
"Yes," said Harry. "I don't know why I didn't see it before. It makes sense, but that word 'bilinguis' doesn't feel right to me. There's something more.
"Maybe that's it," said Hermione. "It means that the poem itself has two meanings, saying one thing and meaning another."
"Or maybe it is a spell," said Harry. "We still need the untranslated version,"
==
Ginny self-consciously made her way to the Gryyffindor boys' dorm, muttering to herself. "Shut up, shut up, shut up--I hate when you do that," she muttered.
"What? I thought they needed some help, Ginny Love."
"You've never helped anyone in your life, Tom."
"Yes, well—but I'm not alive."
"I keep reminding myself of that."
Why didn't you tell them the parseltongue?"
"They think I'm crazy already! Did you want me to prove them right?"
Tom chuckled softly.
"Now, be quiet. I need to study."
Ginny knocked on the door of the room that Harry shared with Ron, Neville, Seamus, Dean and Edward.
Somewhat annoyed, Edward opened the door. He had green paint on his forehead where he had apparently pushed his hair out of his face.
"What are you doing?" asked Ginny.
"Painting. What's it look like," snapped Edward.
"Oh, Painting, I guess, but what are you painting?"
"The wall," answered Edward. "Painting and animating—"
Tom suddenly broke into laughter. "Like in Hufflepuff! That's priceless."
"Pardon?" said Ginny, trying to keep her mind on Edward.
"McGonagall gave me permission to paint the wall of our dorm room," said Edward.
"Why?"
Because it's –Just because. Are you coming in or not?"
"Oh, go in, Ginny Love. I want to see this wall."
I guess," said Ginny stepping into the room. "How long are you going to be?"
"Forever."
"No, I meant this evening. It's already getting late. Harry and Ron might want to go to sleep. I know Hermione usually goes to bed early and the boys are studying in her room, but they might like to get into their own soon."
"Oh, I didn't think about that. I'm not tired, and I wanted to get this part done."
"Well, I was going to ask for help with homework, but this doesn't look like the time. What picture are you trying to paint?"
"Just a forest. Lots of little animals."
"I'm sure you'll need help with that, Lestrange."
"Samara's good at art," said Ginny.
"So's Dean," replied Edward. He's helping me."
"What's that supposed to be?" asked Ginny.
"Don't you recognize a werewolf when you see one, Ginny Love?"
"A wolf," said Dean.
"They're very loyal creatures," added Edward.
Tom's mirth was starting to affect her.
"Looks more like a werewolf," said Ginny laughing.
Tom was still laughing.
Stop it, Tom. Go away, she thought.
"Oh, no. I wouldn't miss this—"
Edward covered the werewolf with a swatch of green paint.
Tom howled with laughter. " Oh, That got rid of it."
"You don't think so?" asked Ginny in her mind.
"Ginny, Ginny, Ginny, How can you still be so naïve?"
==
==
THANK YOU MY FAITHFUL REVIEWERS. I LOVE YOU. YOU KEEP ME FOCUSED. THANKS FOR REVIEWING!
Ron Potter: I'm glad you like my stories. I haven't seen you review before. With a name like Ron Potter, I'm not sure which ones you would like best. Let me know.
Fallen Angel of Darkness: Whaz up? Is that the British spelling? Lol. Don't worry. Ginny's confused too. Sometimes it is MEMORIES of Tom and sometimes its—well, let's see—what was that diary anyway? A MEMORY of 16-year-old Tom Riddle, but sometimes, it just doesn't feel like a memory does it? Ginny said the same thing to me. I mean how did he write back when he was just a memory? It's magic.
Edward's description is in SORTED SORT OF, and I didn't tell you a lot about his looks.
Two other students: Slytherins
Lift=elevator
No. Hostage has been done to death, and I think making Ginny "have to" face Voldemort would be anti-climactic. She's lived with him in her head for four years now. She faces him every time she wakes up and even when she dreams. Love your reviews. They are always helpful, but I can't always answer.
As far as only authors reading reviews. I always read reviews before I read a story—not a lot of them, but if the reviews all say: This sucks, I may not read it.
Spelling/ Grammar mistake: "comeing" lol
Let's see: Ghosts, soon. Fingernails, soon; the visions, bilinguis; Virginia as Voldemort's bride? Lol Don't you think he's a little old for her? I hope I break 300 reviews too. Cool.
Glad you liked Snape laughing. Thanks for the tip on fiction alley. Yes, more T/G also lots more Draco.
Ilwinterhofal: Thanks for reviewing. I think the same person who is making the tee shirts is making the boxers—anyone want to volunteer?
Motley: Hermione? Forget it—well, maybe just a little bit—just for you-- but she's too busy sneaking off with Ron. Didn't you notice?
Melbell: Well didn't you ever wonder what were the twelve uses for Dragon's blood? You think it is "hanging". I guess some of my clues of what is going to happen haven't been clear enough. You have to look for them, but some readers are finding the clues. Granted, Death Eaters haven't invaded Hogwarts yet—or maybe we just don't know about them yet.
Christina: Thanks for reviewing. Harry's specialness? Harry doesn't want to be seen as special, so when I'm in Harry's POV I can't say he's special. Samara doesn't really understand, remember, she's muggle born and although Ginny thinks he's special she doesn't think she's worthy. Then of course, there's Tom in Ginny's head POV, Potter? Special? Exceeding lucky, maybe, but special? NO. I hope I tie off all the loose ends too. I do have a storyboard, but it's getting out of hand. I hope I can really get it all back together. Crosses fingers. Crosses eyes.
Trillium: Of course you can review twice—three times—four times. Yes, even the funny stuff has a point. There are lots of little clues buried in the parts that some readers skip over.
Whiteriver: Thanks for the kudos. Go read Whiteriver. Awesome writer.
Py Rei: Glad you enjoyed the duel. Sorry I didn't drop Hermione and Ron into a pit—come to think of it—they might have liked it. Alone at last--without Harry. (evil laughter) And what will happen when they (especially Draco)find out she's a muggle born? HMMMMM.
-Silverfox: Yes, her wand is special and so is her grandfather.
Fallen Angel of Darkness: Thanks for the review.