Hank grasped Malfoy firmly by the throat when he reached him, his eyes blazing with fury and anguish. "You caused this!" Hank hissed venomously as Malfoy cowered, trying vainly to loosen the grasp Hank had on his throat.
"Let me go!" Malfoy begged hoarsely, gripping Hanks forearm. Hank sneered and whipped Malfoy around, lifting him off the ground effortlessly and holding him so Diego's golden horn was pressed between his shoulder blades.
"You attacked him!" he spat viciously, seemingly not even noticing Draco kicking at his chest and stomach in his attempts to escape. "YOU CAUSED THIS!!!"
Draco began to cry out in pain as Hank increased the pressure on his back, the horn beginning to dig into him through his robes.
Harry began to feel uneasy. As much as he detested Malfoy, he feared that Hank had been pushed to far and might do something he'd undoubtedly regret later. At the rate he was going, he'd impale Malfoy without a second thought.
"Why'd you do it?" Hank snarled, pushing Malfoy even harder, grinning in satisfaction as he squirmed more forcefully; screaming in pain as the horn penetrated his flesh……
Harry sprung into action as he saw what Hank was doing. He ran toward them, seeing Hank shut his eyes and Malfoy grow even paler at whatever it was that Hank was doing. He saw Hanks eyes snap open, his face contorted in fury. He stared at Malfoy for an instant, before he pulled him away from the horn, holding him almost nose to nose. Harry slowed, unsure of what Hank was doing, when he saw the murderous glint flash through his eyes again. Without hesitation, Harry bolted toward them, seeing Malfoy trembling violently in terror.
Hank let out a cry of fury as he drew Malfoy back, as though preparing to plunge Diego's horn through his back. Malfoy screamed as Hank propelled him forward without mercy; however Hank jerked him to the side at the last instant, his shoulder grazing the point as he flew past it, slamming into the dragons neck with Hank's hand still gripping his throat tightly.
Harry slowed his run, mainly in surprise. He'd expected Hank to kill Malfoy, but he should have known he wouldn't, no matter what he'd done. Harry approached them cautiously, not sure how Hank would react to his presence.
Malfoy was desperately clawing at Hanks arm as he tightened his grip further, cutting off his air flow while Hanks eyes smouldered in their sockets.
"This is only a fraction of what you deserve you little ferret," Hank snarled as Malfoy's eyes began to roll up into his head. "I know I can't kill you, but that doesn't mean I have to send you back to school in one piece!"
Hank glanced at Harry as he lifted Malfoy back up again, now grasping him by the front of his robes as he hung limply, half conscious. Harry shook his head in warning, but Hank only shrugged in response before whipping around and hurling Malfoy towards the trees with all his might. Harry let out a roar of shock as Malfoy flew toward the shrubbery, and cringed at the sickening thud as he collected a tree, falling limply to the ground.
Hank looked at Harry's stunned expression and grinned sheepishly. "Well … at least he's not dead."
Hank walked over toward him and bent down, as if he was inspecting him, before waving his hand, levitating Malfoy and strolling beside Harry back towards Ron and Hermione; both of which were considerably paler than normal.
"My apologies," Hank said as he approached them. "It appears my temper is worse than I remember."
"It's OK Hank," Hermione replied softly, wiping a few stray tears from her face. "He probably deserves it, after what he did to Diego."
Hank looked at Hermione in mild surprise. "You don't blame me for my decision regarding his death?"
Hermione shook her head and gave Hank a sad smile. "You had the whole class to protect. I understand that it was an extremely difficult decision, but if you'd done nothing, he would have killed someone. As it was he almost killed you two," she gestured between Hank and Harry.
"But he wouldn't have if Malfoy didn't shoot that spell at him," Ron argued politely. "It was his fault … all of it."
"Hermione," Hank said, drawing her attention, "I would watch myself while in Mr Malfoy's presence … for some reason, he wishes ill of you. It was why he did this actually. He was hoping you'd get seriously hurt … not to mention getting me fired."
Hermione sighed and shook her head. "He's been like that since we met. He doesn't like me because I'm a Muggle born." She shot him a disgusted look before turning back toward the castle.
"And he tried to get Hagrid fired a couple of years ago doing the same thing," Ron added, scowling.
"How do you know this anyway?" Hermione queried, frowning in confusion. Hank only smiled mysteriously and tapped the side of his head before drawing his wand and pointing it at Malfoy, pretending he'd used his wand to levitate him.
"Um … T – thank you, for getting me off Diego, Hank," Hermione stammered shyly, as they walked up the stairs and entered the Main Hall. "I don't think I've been more terrified in my life…"
"You're welcome Hermione," Hank replied, bowing almost imperceptibly. "And don't be ashamed of your fear. It's only natural."
Luckily, classes were still in session, for otherwise they would have drawn a large amount of attention. Hank was leading, with Malfoy floating beside him, looking very much, the worse for wear. Strolling beside Ron and Hermione, who were both just behind Hank, was Harry; though to everyone else, he was a lion. The rest of the journey to the hospital wing was silent, until they opened the ward doors and Hank lay Malfoy on one of the beds furthest from Harry's room.
Trusting that Malfoy was indeed very much unconscious, Harry finally transformed before Hank called out for Poppy.
"What's happened now?" Poppy sighed as she exited her office, eyeing the group searchingly. "Mr Potter, where on earth have you been all morning?" she admonished as she spotted him. "My goodness!" she gasped when she saw Malfoy, rushing over to him. "What on earth happened to him?"
"An unfortunately permanent, lapse in judgment…" Hank growled heatedly; something that Poppy didn't miss.
"Oh my Hank … please don't tell me you did this to him?"
"And if I did?" Hank retorted, his anger toward the situation returning. "It was nothing short of what he deserved," he continued in a hard voice. "Especially after what he did…"
"But it could result in you having to leave!" Poppy exclaimed. "He will undoubtedly tell his father, and he'll take it to the board! You'll be fired for abusing a student if you can't prove it was provoked…"
"He attacked Diego," Hank interrupted hoarsely. "He went mad and I was forced to take his life …… He caused it!" he spat, pointing at Draco angrily.
Poppy was staring at Malfoy with her mouth hanging open. "Diego … Your dragon!? Have you told Dumbledore about it yet?" she asked, her voice wavering.
"No, not yet," Harry interjected politely, seeing how Hank had set his jaw as he held back his tears at the thought of what he'd done. "Hank thought he'd bring Malfoy here first…"
"What's going to happen to Malfoy?" Hermione stepped forward and looked between Hank and Poppy warily. "Will he be expelled?"
Poppy turned to her, "The matter will have to be brought up with Dumbledore. If they can prove it was him that cast the spell than, possibly. The decision to expel students rests with the head of house. The rest of the staff, Dumbledore included, can only put forward their opinion concerning the student under scrutiny."
"Then he's gonna get off Scot free!" Ron said angrily. "Snape's not gonna expel his favourite student! He probably won't even get a detention!"
"I wouldn't go jumping to conclusions Ron," Hank grinned weakly. "I assure you … Professor Snape will see no humour in this…"
"But you can't prove he did it," Hermione pointed out timidly. "No one actually saw him perform the curse…"
"That will not matter," Hank replied harshly. "We will use cunning to get him to confess. Never underestimate the power of the bluff…" he grinned.
"Well," Poppy began, drawing attention to herself, "As much as I would like to stand around and chat; I do have a patient to care for, so if you please…?"
"My apologies Poppy," Hank nodded and turned to the trio. "How about you three go down to Harry's room and wait. I'll go and inform Dumbledore of the situation and return as soon as I can … I haven't forgotten about midday…" he finished, gazing at Harry pointedly.
"That's all right Hank," Harry assured him, "Ron, Hermione and Ginny are going to be here for it … and I have an idea, so it should be tolerable…"
Hank frowned at him quizzically, but didn't press the matter. He nodded to them politely and departed, the three of them watching as he vanished through the double doors.
"You three had better leave in case he wakes," Poppy advised as she bent over Malfoy, determining his injuries. "Good Lord," she muttered as she rolled him over, spotting the wound in his back. Sighing, she shook her head. "It's a good thing he held his temper back…"
"He held back?" Hermione gasped. "He looked as if he was using full force!"
Poppy frowned. "How so?" she asked as she glanced at Hermione briefly.
"By the way he was tossing him around," Hermione explained, gesturing to Malfoy. "He only held him by one arm the whole time, but he certainly didn't look like he was holding back. He actually threw him into the trees a good thirty feet from where he was standing! A frozen rope! You can't tell me he was holding back … Malfoy's got to weigh at least seven stone!"
Poppy raised her eyebrows at Hermione's story. "Only thirty feet huh? He was careful, wasn't he…"
Hermione's jaw dropped, and quite frankly Harry was almost feeling just as shocked. At the way Poppy was reacting, Hank had used the utmost care when he beat on Malfoy … but Harry couldn't believe that he could do any more to anyone … it wasn't humanly possible to possess such physical power.
"Just what do you mean — "
"We can talk about it in my room Hermione," Harry cut in hurriedly, earning a reproving glare from her. "She needs to take care of Malfoy … and you can ask Hank yourself when he comes back down…"
Looking disgruntled, Hermione nodded and followed Harry down the wing and into his old bedroom, Ron trailing behind and shutting the door. Harry sighed as he sat on the bed, glancing at his watch, seeing that they still had about an hour before morning classes were over.
"OK Harry," Hermione said as she and Ron sat on the other side of the bed, "Why did you want us away from Madame Pomfrey, and why did you stop me asking her what she meant by Hanks holding back?"
Harry glanced between them, sighing again when he read their expectant faces. "No big reason actually. One: I didn't want to talk about anything anywhere near Malfoy; and two: If you're gonna ask those sorts of questions, you should ask the person they're referring to. As in, ask Hank yourself instead of hoping someone else will spill the beans."
"Harry, you know that he won't say anything about it," Hermione retorted matter-of-factly. "At least Madame Pomfrey sees nothing wrong with letting little hints out about him. I mean, she said straight out that Hank had been holding back considerably, and that's just not humanly possible. Tell me that you don't realize that!"
"I do realize that Hermione," Harry replied calmly, "but I also think that it would be best to ask him personally about it. He told you about his wand-less magic when you asked him about it, didn't he?" Harry asked knowingly. Hermione nodded. "Right, well there's no reason to think he won't do the same thing about this as well, unless it's something he can't tell us. If so, he'll say so."
"Don't push the subject," Ron interjected as Hermione made to argue, placing his hand on her shoulder when she turned to glare at him. "You want him to lose his temper at you again?" Ron raised his eyebrows and grinned at her when she turned pink and looked away. "Didn't think so," he chuckled.
"Well do you believe me?" Hermione asked suddenly. "Do you think Hanks been holding back on us? About himself?"
"Hermione," Harry spoke up exasperatedly before Ron could reply, "You said you'd drop the inquisition routine on Hank earlier on!"
"But that was before we found out this new stuff on him!" Hermione retorted. "I'm sorry if you don't like it Harry, but I'm afraid that he's just arousing too much suspicion against himself. I know that he can use Felanade magic, and he did use it to save the lives of most of the class … but that doesn't tell us how he's achieved strength beyond that of the strongest human being, and still call it holding back!"
"He could have used that magic with Malfoy," Harry shot back irritably. "We don't know anything about this magic, so who's to say that he didn't use it to assist him? We saw him draw Malfoy to him … what's to say he didn't use it the same way to throw him as well?"
"I suppose he could have…" Hermione sighed, slumping her shoulders in defeat. "And as much as Malfoy deserved what he got, I really wouldn't like to see what Hank would be capable of doing if he really lost his temper…. He was almost frightening…"
"What do you mean almost?" Ron raised an eyebrow and grinned. "He was scary. I thought he'd skewer Malfoy for sure, he was so mad…"
"That wasn't anger," Harry spoke up softly. He looked up to see two confused faces staring back at him. "At least, not in the way you think," he elaborated. "Yes, he was furious at Malfoy, but it wasn't a hateful anger. It was because he was so distraught with what he'd been forced to do. He was mad with grief; unable to take back what he'd done … and because Malfoy was the cause, he took out his anguish on him. He wasn't just angry at Malfoy either. He was angry with himself as well … having to live with the knowledge that he'd just taken his friends life…"
Harry trailed off and looked away, the memories of the night he woke up to remember what he'd done to Ron coming to the surface. He remembered all too well the despair and anger toward himself for his lack of will, after his nearly killing Ron … but he also knew that, however much he could relate to Hanks suffering, it wasn't anywhere near the same, for Hank had chosen to take Diego's life in order to protect the students……
"I don't blame you for what happened Harry," Ron said quietly, correctly interpreting his silence and sullen demeanour. "If it was anyone's fault, it was mine. I shouldn't of — "
"It doesn't matter who's fault it was Ron," Harry interrupted, sighing and shaking his head. "It happened, and no matter what anyone says, it won't change that fact."
"But we know what caused it," Hermione sat forward, staring at him pleadingly. "We know you didn't have any control over it, and so do you. We don't blame you…"
"Placing the blame is not the issue!" Harry snapped heatedly, glaring at Hermione; only to drop his gaze reproachfully a moment later. "Sorry…"
"It's OK Harry…" Hermione replied quietly.
"It's just that … whoever's fault it is, or what someone should've done instead doesn't matter…" Harry explained slowly. "It happened, and none of us will forget it. It'll always be there, in our memories … like a stain that won't go away…"
"No one's asking for anyone to forget it Harry," Hermione replied when Harry fell silent. "But you can't constantly dwell on things that are beyond your control…"
Harry snorted contemptuously. "What happened to Cedric was not beyond my control … I took him straight to his death … I told him to take the cup with me…"
"But if it wasn't for Moody you wouldn't have even been in the tournament to get to the cup," Hermione explained gently. "And Moody was only there on orders from You Know Who. It was his choice to kill your parents Harry, and he sent himself to ruin for it. None of it is because of you … It all leads back to him … everything."
Harry looked up at her and sighed. How could she possibly know what it feels like for him? Waiting to see who will be sent into oblivion next, just to get to him … praying that it wouldn't be one of his closest friends … but he wouldn't burden anyone with his petty emotional troubles; so instead of voicing his feelings on the matter, Harry simply gave Hermione a weak smile and said, "Yeah, I suppose so …"
Hermione was still eyeing him uncertainly, as though she knew he wasn't being honest; however she still nodded and smiled at his answer.
"Not to sound like a prat," Ron chimed in, "but do you suppose we could change the subject to something a little less worrisome…?" he grinned as Hermione rolled her eyes and swatted him on the shoulder playfully, sticking out her tongue as he rubbed his arm, feigning injury.
"Anyway," Harry began, equally glad to get off the subject, "You can't sound like a prat, because you already are one." Harry grinned widely as Ron turned to him with wide eyes, a mock-shocked expression on his face. "You seem shocked by this Ronald," Harry continued sardonically, grinning even wider at the scowl Ron gave him at his full name and Hermione's giggling in response to it. "You mean you didn't know? And here I thought it was free information…"
Harry trailed off as he felt a painful twinge in the crook of his right arm. He grimaced and instinctively brought his other hand up to grasp it, forgetting that it wouldn't alleviate his discomfort.
"What is it Harry?" Hermione asked, getting to her feet and rounding the bed to his side, peering at him with concern. "What's the matter?"
"Something's cut my arm," he said through grit teeth, gripping his elbow even tighter. "It can't be the ceremony, because it's too early…" but Harry couldn't utter another word, for his arm exploded with pain, causing him cry out and claw at the crook of his elbow, trying to remove the invisible object that felt embedded in it. Harry leapt to his feet and tried anything he could think of to ease his pain. He rubbed at the area and scratched at it, but nothing would help. He cradled his arm near his chest as both Hermione and Ron came to his side, telling him to relax and trying to calm him down, but they were only vague echoes in the back of his mind, clouded by the pain shooting through him. Harry's breathing was ragged and unsteady, and he groaned out loud as he felt the beginning sensation of a small cut forming on his other elbow and the back of both his knees.
He looked up at Ron and Hermione, seeing their pale and alarmed faces through bleary eyes, and came to a sudden decision. He was going to test his theory later on, during the ceremony; but he wasn't going to stand here and put up with this if he didn't have to either. Harry took a deep breath as he tried to focus and shut his eyes, feeling his form change just as he felt searing pain in his other limbs, as objects where forced into them also.
His scream of agony was abruptly changed to a loud roar as he transformed, collapsing to the floor in shock as much as surprise when the pain left his limbs abruptly. Harry lay there taking deep refreshing breaths, calming himself down and feeling relieved that his theory had just been proven correct. The pain was gone, leaving only a small tingly feeling where moment's beforehand there had been agony.
"Harry! Are you all right?" Hermione asked breathlessly as she knelt by his side and peered at his face, trying to decipher his expression.
Harry looked at her as he steadied his breathing and slowly got to his feet, nodding his head at her question.
"Does it hurt anymore?" Ron inquired timidly, still looking rather pale and shaken by what he'd witnessed. Harry kind of felt sorry for him, because he'd never seen him go through this before. At least Hermione knew what it was like. He glanced back at Ron, who was still waiting for a response to his question, and shook his head no.
"But, why would it suddenly stop like that?" Hermione frowned, confused; but she rolled her eyes and shook her head a moment later, glancing at Harry before saying, "Sorry … Keep forgetting you can't speak…"
"What on earth is going on in here?" a crisp voice called through the door, just before it swung open revealing Madame Pomfrey. Her eyes widened at the sight of Harry and she pulled out her wand, her eyes flicking toward Ron and Hermione as she did so.
"Whoa! What are you doing?" Ron stared at Poppy's raised wand and stepped in front of Harry, Hermione mimicking his action a moment later.
Poppy was looking beyond bewildered at this point, but her eyes suddenly snapped to Harry's and he could see realization in them.
"I saw three students walk into this area," she began cautiously, "and now there is two … who are both defending a lion, instead of running away from it…"
Ron and Hermione shot each other a nervous glance before throwing a look toward Harry and facing Poppy again.
"Please … don't tell me that that… is Mr Potter…" Poppy shook her head and lowered her wand.
"OK … We won't," Ron replied sardonically, giving Poppy a weak grin as she lowered her wand.
"Well this is simply spiffing now, isn't it…?" Poppy placed her hands on her hips and looked toward the ceiling. "Why me?" she groaned, shaking her head and sighing heavily before looking Harry over. "It was you with Hank this morning, wasn't it Mr Potter?" Poppy asked knowingly. Harry nodded. "Well at least that puts to rest where you were all morning … Why couldn't he of just told me it was you then? It would've save me the aggravation!" She looked at Ron and Hermione sternly. "So who else knows about him?"
They both gave each other a nervous glance before Hermione spoke up, "Well, pretty much only our little circle does … Dumbledore, Remus, Hank, Sirius, Ginny, Snape and now you. Oh … Kahn does too … and Dumbledore and Snape don't know that he can turn into a lion. They just know he's an Animagus…"
Poppy sighed again and nodded. "Another identity crisis … oyi…" she rolled her eyes before becoming serious again. "So what was the racket I heard just before? It sounded like someone yelling…"
"Yeah … It was Harry," Ron sighed, sitting down on the bed and grimacing.
"Something was hurting him," Hermione continued as she patted Harry on the head, "and since we couldn't see anything, it was obviously something that was happening to You Know Who … but it's too early for it to be the ceremony that Hank told us about? So then, Harry transformed, and from what we could understand, the pain stopped as soon as he did so." Hermione stared down at Harry and sighed. "And we can't find out why, because the only one that has any idea, can't currently speak … can he?" she finished, raising her eyebrows at Harry pointedly.
"Now don't be like that Hermione," Ron admonished as Harry looked away and lay on the floor again; resting his head on his paws. "He had bigger things to think about instead of telling us his little idea…"
Harry felt a wave of gratitude toward Ron, speaking in his defence; though Hermione also had a point. He could have told them his theory beforehand, when he had the chance, but he put it off. However, Harry was very thrilled that his assumption had been correct. He didn't experience Voldemort's pain, and visa-versa, while in his Animagus. He formulated the theory after Hank had relayed all of Voldemort's episodes in relation to his own … noticing that Voldemort had experienced the pain of his shooting, only after he had returned to his human form. Now it was confirmed. Harry sighed contently, now knowing that he had a means of getting away from Voldemort's pain … for the only thing remaining to remind him of his previous pain, was a pins-and-needles sensation in the same areas. At least, now he should be able to tell when the pain goes away.
Though now, Harry was curious to know if his Animagus had the same effect when it came to channelling Voldemort's anger, whenever he himself, grew overly frustrated or annoyed. Harry thought back to how he'd been behaving toward Malfoy during CoMC, and came to the conclusion that, yes, his Animagus had the same effect on his rage as it did his pain. It somehow almost completely severs the connection between them. After all, he had very much wanted to tear Malfoy apart; but not once did he perform a hostile action against his will…
"Well, as much as I would like to get more details," Poppy began, disturbing Harry from his thoughts, "I'll wait for Hank to explain it … or even Harry, if he wants to? Now, I have a certain patient to keep an eye on, so, do try and keep the noise down…"
"Yes ma'am," Hermione and Ron chimed while Harry nodded. Poppy gave Harry one last exasperated glance before leaving the room; shutting the door behind her.
"What d'you suppose she meant by another identity crisis?" Ron asked as soon as Poppy left the hallway. "The first time I heard her say something like that was when she found out about Sirius?"
"Actually," Hermione began, "She called that one, another ID crisis. From what I could gather, Sirius was the second one she had to deal with."
"Well … who's the first one?" Ron frowned, confused. Hermione shrugged and Harry shook his head.
Harry had in fact been pondering the same thing; but having no way to convey his query, he'd simply waited for someone else to pick up on it. As much as he thought about it and every other strange thing that had occurred thus far though, Harry still felt as though there was something he was missing. Something that had been made obvious a number of times, but due to the situation, had been either overlooked or forgotten. He felt as though it was staring him in the face, and it was frustrating to not put the pieces of the puzzle together and figure it all out……
Hank purposefully made his way up to Dumbledore's office, his instincts screaming at him for not doing more damage to the Malfoy boy. Hank shook his head and sighed, pushing back his exuberant temper. It simply wasn't his place to decide upon his fate, that rested with Severus. As he reached the stone gargoyle and gave the password, Hank found himself wondering briefly what Harry had meant when he said he 'had an idea' about the midday ceremony. He shook it from his mind as he jumped up the stairs and came to a halt outside Dumbledore's office. He raised his hand to knock, but he froze when he heard a discussion taking place inside. Going against his conscience, Hank decided to listen in.
"… I'm sorry I was unable to talk with you about this earlier,…" Dumbledore's voice drifted out to him. "…but something of great importance always seemed to prevent us speaking…"
"…That's quite all right Albus…" Hank was taken aback when he heard Arabella speak, curious as to what they might be discussing. "…I'm just relieved that I'm able to finally tell you what I saw a few weeks ago … it's quite frightening actually, I'm surprised that no one was killed…"
"…Please do…" Dumbledore pressed gently, as Hank's listening skills improved dramatically with the last statement. He already knew what should have occurred, but now he could find out what had actually transpired.
"…Well, as you know, I've been keeping an eye on the Dursleys household ever since Harry was placed there, and I was quite shocked when I saw two people enter it a bit before term began. I recognised them, you see. I remembered them well from my days as an Obliviater. Albus, I saw the Lestranges enter their home at around lunchtime! They were two of the worst Deatheaters Voldemort ever had serving him! I sat there, glued to my window for at least half an hour before I saw them leave. Shortly afterwards, I went over there to check on them, only to find that they were still in perfect health. Naturally they asked why I'd come over, so I said that I'd come to see if Harry could look after my cats while I went on a trip … but they told me that he'd already left for his friends house for the rest of the summer. Oh, I was so relieved to know that he was OK, and his Aunt and Uncle … but I was still quite baffled to know why they were left alive…"
Hank breathed a sigh of relief. He was rather worried about what might happen to them when Harry wasn't there. At least he still had somewhere to stay during the summer.
"…This is indeed disturbing news…" Dumbledore replied gravely. "…It's a good thing I gave him permission to go to Ronald Weasley's home … and it's quite a relief to know that his relatives were unharmed. I had hoped that Voldemort wouldn't be so bold as to send his followers to Harry's home, but as it is, it will simply be too unsafe for him to return there at all…"
Hank started at Dumbledore's comment. Where else would Harry be able to stay? Hank thought of one instantly, but he doubted Harry would ever accept such an offer. Not to mention all the explaining he would have to do along with it. Besides, Harry could always go to Lupins, where Sirius would be able to visit him. At least he'd be happier with them. Shaking himself, Hank suddenly remembered why he had ventured up there in the first place and sharply rapped on the door.
He waited for Dumbledore to confirm his entry before opening the door, smiling politely at Arabella, who was sitting opposite Albus, before shutting the door and approaching them.
"I apologise for my interruption," Hank explained, "but there is something of importance that I need to discuss with you Albus."
Dumbledore eyed Hank searchingly for an instant before turning back to Arabella. "I'm afraid we've been interrupted again Arabella. I must apologise for the inconvenience…"
"Oh … Not to worry Albus," she replied, giving him a warm smile. "At least I actually got to tell you what I needed too…" She rose from her chair, and Albus followed suit, escorting her to the door. "Perhaps another time…" she nodded to both men and walked from the office.
"What is wrong Hank?" Dumbledore asked as soon as he closed the door and made his way back to his desk. "Shouldn't you be teaching a class at the moment?"
Hank hung his head as his anger toward the situation rose up again. "That is the reason I have come to see you," he answered, his voice wavering only minutely. "My class was forced to end early, due to the actions of a particularly notorious student…" he paused as he gathered himself again.
"What happened?" Dumbledore asked worriedly, concerned by how distraught Hank seemed. It was very unlike him to get so emotional.
Hank took a deep breath and gazed into Dumbledore's blue eyes, seeing his concern for him. "I had Diego in my class today … Do you remember him?" Dumbledore nodded. "Everything was going extremely well … he even got so comfortable with them that he allowed Miss Granger to ride him … but … a curse was shot at him and it injured him. He went mad and I was forced to take his life; or else allow him to kill half the class…" Hank hung his head as the tears built up, blinking them away furiously, refusing to shed tears in front of Dumbledore.
"I'm very sorry to hear that," Albus said gravely. "I know how much he meant to you. Do you know who provoked him in the first place?"
Hank nodded. "I can't prove it though. No one actually saw him do it … but I know that he did," he spat, scowling heavily. "All it will take for him to confess he did it, is a little trickery … We won't be lying or trying to frame him, but we can get him to admit he was the cause…"
Dumbledore eyed him intently. "May I ask who the suspect in question is?" though he thought he had a pretty good idea anyway.
"Mr Malfoy," Hank growled spitefully. "You can find him in the hospital wing if you want to see him…"
"Was he injured by Diego?" Dumbledore stared at Hank knowingly; a small smirk forming under his white beard.
Hank looked away and cleared his throat nervously. "Um … no. I did. I didn't strike him, if that's what you're thinking," he added hurriedly, "I just, sort of threw him around a bit … then there was Diego's horn … but he's still alive," he finished sheepishly, flashing Albus a small grin as if that was all that mattered.
Dumbledore sighed heavily and sat in his chair, resting his chin on his fingertips. "This could get quite complicated," he mused gravely. "Are you absolutely positive no one can bare witness to Malfoy instigating all of this?" he insisted, gazing at Hank hopefully.
"Quite sure," Hank sighed, shoving his hands in his pockets. "They were all too busy staring at Miss Granger on Diego's back…"
Shaking his head, Dumbledore got to his feet and made for his door. Confused, Hank frowned and asked, "Where are you going?"
"If you are unable to produce someone who actually saw Mr Malfoy commit this act, than I'm afraid that your first suggestion will need to suffice. In order to bluff Mr Malfoy into confessing, we will need someone who thinks on a different wavelength to us … someone who quite frequently uses deception in order to stay alive … we need cunning…"
"We need Severus Snape…" Hank concluded, sighing and rolling his eyes. "I know that he won't be pleased with what Malfoy did, but do you really think he'll help? I know that he won't expel him…"
Dumbledore chuckled. "Hank, you should know better … I think you'll find that he'll be more than willing to help out … it is just cause after all…"
Hank just shrugged and made for the door alongside Albus. "Just make sure we get this sorted out quickly. I want to be with Harry during the ceremony."
"I quite understand," Dumbledore replied, as they descended the staircase. "Hank, I know that you've already decided upon this," Dumbledore started hesitantly, "but … will you tell Harry about yourself? Personally, I believe you should have at the start of the year. He deserves to know about your past with his parents … especially since he's taken such a liking to you. You'll only hurt him if you wait … continuing to mislead him the way you are…"
Hank sighed heavily as they strode briskly toward the dungeons. "I understand what you're saying Albus … but I truly believe that he wouldn't be able to handle it along with everything else that's going on in his life at the moment. As much as I hate deceiving him … it is best, that he doesn't know yet."
Hank could tell that Albus wanted to push the matter, put he politely nodded his head and returned his gaze to the corridor. Sighing to himself, Hank also fell silent and continued toward the dungeons, the real reason he didn't want to tell Harry about himself flitting through his mind……
Ginny was waving her hands in front of her face in an effort to clear away the billowing smoke that was pouring from her cauldron, coughing heavily as the students surrounding her moved away from the disaster area. People where clamouring to get to the door and exit the black potions room; a large cluster becoming crowded as they all tried to rush out at once. Snape was bellowing for calm while trying to blindly make his way toward Ginny so as to extinguish the suffocating smoke.
Ginny knelt down on the cold stone as she tried to breath better, and saw the bottom of Snape's billowing black robes come to a stop in front of her table. By this time, most of the class had managed to squeeze their way out into the hallway, coughing and sputtering as the smoke floated from the room.
Catching her breath, Ginny slowly began to straighten up, not wanting to see the look that Snape was guaranteed to be shooting at her. She bit her lip as she tried to think of a way to explain what had happened. She didn't mean to put in the monkshood so early, but she was anxious about Harry, and the ceremony at midday. Shaking ever so slightly, Ginny raised her eyes to see Snape bearing down on her; his eyes smouldering in their sockets.
"I was under the assumption that fourth years could read, Miss Weasley," Snape said coldly, his beady eyes glinting. He took Ginny's ladle and dipped it into what remained of her potion, fishing out the monkshood. "I believe that the monkshood was to be added after the potion was removed from the flame … was it not?" he asked stonily.
Ginny hung her head sheepishly and fidgeted with her robes. "Yes sir…" she replied quietly, awaiting her impending punishment.
"Well than, perhaps you could enlighten me, as to why you didn't?" snapped Snape, throwing her ladle back into her twisted cauldron, splashing its contents over the table. He leant forward when Ginny didn't answer, stopping a few inches from her face. "I expect an answer, when I ask a question, Miss Weasley…" he whispered dangerously.
Ginny looked up at him nervously, wanting to tell him about her reason, but she couldn't because of the students that were still in earshot. She opened her mouth to tell him so, when another deep voice cut her off.
"Our apologies for the interruption Severus," Hank called from the doorway, the students standing outside milling behind him, snickering silently. "We require your assistance with something that, I'm afraid, cannot wait…"
Ginny looked between the two of them curiously, noting the strain on Hank's face and the mild concern showing through on Snape's.
"What's happened?" Snape asked shortly, approaching the doorway.
"Something that you're not going to find humorous, I can assure you," Dumbledore spoke up from the side, poking his head around the corner.
Snape immediately nodded his head and called to the students. "Everyone is to clean up their potions and equipment as fast as possible. Class will be finishing early today…"
Hank stepped aside as the rest of the class filed in, looking confused, but not arguing with the orders. Ginny looked around and saw that both Hank and Dumbledore were waiting by the door as the students packed up. She tipped her spoiled potion down the drain and rinsed it out, washing her hands before packing her bag and making toward the door alongside some of her friends.
"You will remain here Miss Weasley," Snape called, causing her to groan and sit at the back table, waiting to see why she'd been held in. Placing her bag on the table, she waited patiently for the rest of the class to leave, casting gloomy glances toward Hank every now and then; grinning when he winked back at her playfully. Finally, the last student scurried out the door, and Hank and Dumbledore ventured fully into the room.
"Now, what may I ask has caused such a disturbance that my class be ended early?" Snape drawled as he sorted some papers out on his desk.
Ginny saw Hank glance at her before returning his gaze to Snape. Dumbledore seemed to be thinking along the same lines for he turned to her and smiled, "Miss Weasley, I believe there is someone in the hospital wing that you wish to see?"
Ginny nodded eagerly and stood, swinging her bag over her shoulders and making a beeline for the door.
"Just a minute Miss Weasley!" Snape called tauntingly. "there is the matter of you turning my classroom into…" he trailed off and sighed wearily. "…oh…never mind. Go and see Mr Potter already…"
Impulsively, Ginny flashed Snape a grin. "Yes sir!" she smiled at Hank and Dumbledore as she left, both of them returning it. Hurriedly, she ran from the room and quickly made her way toward the hospital wing……
"Ya know Harry," Ron began as he laid spread-eagled on the bed, "This would be a lot less boring, if you could speak while you're transformed." He propped himself up on his elbows and gave Harry a crooked grin. "But it is fun trying to guess what you're saying sometimes."
Harry rolled his eyes and shook his head, laying back down on the cool floor as he glanced over toward Hermione, who was sprawled across the chair, too busy reading a book to even notice the conversation. Ron might call the constant communication gap fun, but Harry found it distinctly frustrating. Some of the things he would get across to them where blatantly obvious … but the problems came when he had to try and tell them something, usually ending up with them resorting to just guessing. So as a result, they had been sitting there in relative silence for the past half an hour. Harry had to admit, however, that Ron was indeed correct. It was very boring.
Suddenly, there was a knock at the door, startling them all from their reverie. Harry lifted his head and Ron propped himself up again, both of them watching as Hermione closed her book and got to her feet, opening the door to reveal Ginny, grinning happily at them.
"Hi!" she chirped, stepping around Hermione and sitting on the floor by Harry. "We got let out of potions early! Can you believe it?" she gushed as she glanced between Ron and Hermione. Before they could respond though, she turned to face Harry and frowned at him quizzically. "Why are you transformed? You don't need to be back here…"
"The explanation as to why Harry is the way he is can wait for a moment," Hermione said crisply, interrupting Ginny. "What you will tell us, is why Snape let you out early?"
"Well someone's in a good mood…" Ginny retorted sardonically, rolling her eyes as she rested an elbow on Harry's shoulders. Hermione scowled and crossed her arms.
"You wouldn't be in a particularly happy mood either if you had the morning we did," she shot irately, though looking toward the floor sadly.
Ginny sighed, "All right … all right … Hank and professor Dumbledore came down to the dungeons a little while ago. They said something had come up and they needed Snape for whatever it was … he let us out straight away…"
"They must be telling Snape about it then?" Ron mused, almost to himself.
"Telling Snape about what?" Ginny asked curiously.
"About what happened to Diego," Hermione put in automatically, as she sat back in the chair.
"Who's that?"
Sighing resignedly, Ron set about retelling what had happened during their CoMC lesson that morning, and what Hank had done afterward to Malfoy.
"So that's why he's in there!" she exclaimed knowingly, smiling slyly. "I was wondering how he was looking so beat up … mind you he did deserve it; especially after he attacked that dragon… You are all alright though, aren't you?" she asked hurriedly, staring at each of them until they confirmed that, yes, they were indeed alright. "Good," she breathed. "Now, you can tell me why Harry's not quite himself…" she added, looking pointedly at Hermione.
"Do you remember that ceremony Hank told us about?" Hermione asked. Ginny nodded. "Well, something happened before it was meant to start … and Harry was in a great deal of pain … but when he transformed it seemed to stop … we don't know much more due to the language problem…" she finished heavily. "He's been like this for the past forty odd minutes…"
Harry had laid there as Hermione and Ron spoke to Ginny about that morning, feeling content with the pressure of Ginny's weight against him. He looked up when he felt her beginning to stroke his mane in sympathy, for Hermione had just told her about the episode he had a while ago. He purred in reassurance as he saw her concern for him shine through her eyes; a warmth spreading through him as she draped her arm across his back and smiled at him in relief.
"I wonder why they went and got Snape though?" Ron asked, a bit more snidely than he intended too. The others all turned to face him, none of them missing the glowering look in his eyes as he gazed toward Ginny and Harry.
Hermione rolled her eyes and shook her head while Harry shifted a mite uncomfortably. Harry was surprised though, when Ginny remained against him and stared back at Ron resolutely; something he could tell, Ron didn't like much.
"Ron," Hermione began, drawing his attention from his sister, "He's the head of Malfoy's house … why wouldn't they go at tell him about it?"
"But that's no reason to cancel a class, especially one of Snape's!"
"Maybe he's going to help convince Malfoy to spill the beans?" Hermione shrugged. "If Malfoy listens to anyone at all, it would probably be Snape…"
"Malfoy doesn't listen to anyone Hermione," Ron retorted. "Why would he start now…?"
"Because it's Snape Ron," Ginny put in exasperatedly. "Even Malfoy would take a threat from him seriously."
"Do you think Snape will punish him though?" Ron asked irritably. "I mean … Malfoy is his favourite student…"……
…… "I will personally make sure that that little ferret will be, at the very least … suspended!" Snape snarled, slapping his hand against the table angrily.
"I couldn't agree more," Hank replied grimly. He had just finished telling Snape what Malfoy had done during his class, and as Dumbledore and he correctly interpreted … Snape was far from amused.
"You're sure no one saw him?" asked Snape.
Hank nodded his head. "Positive."
Snape sighed. "We'll have to smoke him out then…" A thoughtful expression passed over Snape's sallow face as he sat behind his desk; he rested his head against his hands as he tried to devise a way to get Malfoy to confess what he did, on his own free will.
Hank and Dumbledore stood silently, not disturbing Snape's train of thought as they waited anxiously for him to come up with an idea.
"You do know that I can't play any role in this?" Snape said to the table. He raised his head to look at them. "As soon as I tell you my idea, I'll wipe my hands of it. If it got back to the wrong people, I could be killed…"
"We're very aware of the risk if this were to get out, Severus," Dumbledore reassured him gently. "We will make every effort to make sure that it can't be traced back to you."
Snape nodded his agreement. "Very well. I will try to have him suspended, as his punishment. I won't even bother trying to expel him, because he'll bring in his wretched father … as it is, he'll argue adamantly with me about it."
Hank gazed at Snape calculatingly. "You have a way to get him to turn himself in?" he smiled wryly.
Snape laced his fingers together and sat his black eyes upon Hank's blue-green ones, grinning slyly. "I believe I do…"……
"Harry, how do you know when you can transform back?" Ginny asked into his ear. "If you don't feel You Know Who's pain, than how would you know?"
Harry groaned and flopped his head back down onto his paws in exasperation. How often must everyone be reminded that he can't speak to them?
"Ginny," said Ron, mimicking Harry's behaviour and throwing himself backwards onto the bed. "He can't answer you like that! All he can do is shake or nod!" Ron and Hermione had finally decided to give up on their argument concerning Malfoy, in light of Harry's situation … plus, Harry was starting to get a bit irate with the constant bickering.
"OK fine," Ginny huffed, "Let's try a different approach then…" she turned to Harry, "Harry, do you know when you're able to transform back into you?"
Harry stared into her brown eyes as he thought of her question. He supposed that the pins and needles effect would vanish when Voldemort's pain ended, and currently they were still present in his elbows and knees. Hesitantly, Harry nodded his head to the question.
"How do you — sorry … rephrase that …" Ginny blushed as she averted her gaze, trying to find how to put her question into a yes or no answer. Harry smiled inwardly as she began to bite her nails; her brow creased, deep in thought.
"Soooo, you just know when you can?" she asked vaguely, waving her hand to the side in mild confusion.
Harry chuckled at her awkwardness, but still nodded. Yes, he did just know when it was over. He supposed it was due to their link.
"I gather that you'll transform when that's possible then, won't you?" Hermione asked knowingly, lifting her gaze from her thick book in time to see Harry nod in response.
"He could be like this for a while then, couldn't he?" said Ron bluntly, facing the ceiling. "After all, whatever happened was before the ceremony was supposed to start, so who knows how long it could last? Plus he's got the actual ceremony to go through as well…"
"Such an optimist, Ron," Ginny shot back dryly, rolling her eyes. "Honestly, could you be more melodramatic!" She shook her head as she leant back against Harry, crossing her arms in annoyance.
"What's to be dramatic over?" he shot back, sitting up to glare at his sister. "It's fact! At the rate Harry's going, he won't be coming down to dinner with us tonight; and knowing his luck, he'll probably end up spending half the school year as an animal!"
Hermione sat up abruptly and snapped her book shut, glaring at Ron incredulously. "For goodness sakes Ron! You could show a little more optimism on Harry's part. We can't afford to be so negative about what's happening…"
"I'm not being negative," Ron retorted, now turning his gaze toward Hermione. "I'm just stating the inevitable. Something's happened every single year we've been here … why should this one be any different? It's almost a tradition with us," he continued flatly. "Something happens to Harry, and we get dragged along for the ride…"
Harry lifted his head and looked at Ron sharply. Whether he'd known it or not, his words had stung him; making it sound as though Harry attracted trouble on purpose. To anyone looking at him, they'd probably see the most injured expression they'd ever seen on an animal, for that's how Harry was feeling at present.
Here he was, fifteen years of age, and he was bonded to the worlds darkest wizard, who's also wanted him dead since he was one. In order to spend time with his friends, he has to be human; but he could lose his self control at any time, or experience anything from a twinge, to blinding agony while with them. The only way to get away from it is to be a lion, yet it cuts of almost all interaction with his friends! Harry felt his insides turn to lead as Ron spoke his mind; the pressure he'd been feeling from everything finally having it's way with him.
Numbly, Harry slowly got to his feet, making Ginny start with the sudden movement, and padded over to the furthest corner of the room, barely hearing Hermione scolding Ron for what he'd said. He flopped down onto the stone, his back facing his friends, and curled up into a ball; a burning sensation beginning behind his eyes.
Blinking furiously and trying to steady his uneven breathing, Harry felt something slide down beside him. He didn't acknowledge he'd felt it as his most painful memories came to the surface. Harry felt his eyes fill with moister and he shut them, willing the tears that were threatening to spill to leave.
He had experienced torture, faced death and been witness to murder … yet what had effected him most profoundly, was the casualness of one of his friends when he'd mentioned the nightmare of his life. He was a magnet for attracting trouble; but the fact that one of his closest friends had said it so bluntly was more painful than the Cruciatus curse.
Harry opened his eyes and felt his held back tears roll down his muzzle, as he felt someone stroking his back and heard whispering in his ear. He tried to push his despair down and focus on what the voice was saying, noting that it was very soothing to him.
"……Please do something Harry! He was being a prat … Don't believe anything he said!……" Ginny's voice echoed in Harry's head, trying to break through the wall of anguish that had risen with Ron's words. "……Harry? C'mon … Let me know you're listening … don't be like this …"
Harry was jolted back into reality when he felt Ginny's soft hands wiping at his face, trying to dry the tears from his fur. Everything came into sharper focus and he saw her sitting in front of him; her own tears mingling with his own as she leant over him, whispering to him as she tried to get him to respond to her words. Harry saw a hopeful glimmer pass through her eyes as she noticed his eyes on her; her tear stained face breaking out into a small grin in relief.
"Harry? Are you all right? You know we don't hold you for anything that's happened, don't you?" said Ginny softly, still trying to dry his damp fur.
Harry stared back at her, wanting to tell her that he was all right, but knowing he was far from it. Ron's lack of tact had burst the dam of despair and hopelessness that Harry had built over the last four years; holding back all the horrors he'd been forced to live with and witness. Ginny faded from view as his vision clouded over with the last few moments of the Triwizard Tournament, Cedric's death replaying with vicious cruelty …
"Harry!" cried Ginny, a note of panic in her voice as she forced Harry to look at her, gasping inaudibly as she saw his eyes weren't focused on anything, and were brimming with utter hopelessness and despair. She felt more tears slide down her face as she reached out and stroked his full mane, trying to coax him back to reality as she had managed before. Ginny peered into his eyes, hoping to see their familiar gleam again, but still finding them dead and hollow.
"Ginny, is he all right?" said Hermione, approaching them hesitantly, glancing at Harry with worry.
"No he's not!" she replied urgently. "It's like he's not even here anymore!"
"What do you mean?"
"He's not responding to anything," said Ginny, gently placing her hand against Harry's muzzle. "He's just laying here! If he wasn't breathing, I'd swear he was dead!" Ginny got to her feet and turned to face Ron, feeling her anger overpower her fear for Harry. "How could you say that to him!?" she yelled, gesturing to Harry's motionless form. She could see that Ron was worried about Harry's strange behaviour, but what was fuelling her anger toward him was how he didn't seem to realize just how serious the situation was, and how he'd played a major part in it. "I thought he was your friend!"
"He is my friend!" Ron shot back heatedly. "I don't know what you're so worried about? He's only trying to sort everything out on his own, like he always does!"
"Are you so thick as to realize just how tormented he is about everything that's going on?" said Ginny, glaring at her brother coldly. "He's not sorting anything out! I'd be surprised if he was even thinking at the moment! He needed our support and you practically accused him of bringing the sky down upon us on purpose!"
"I was only telling the truth!" Ron jumped from the bed and stepped toward Ginny, who held her ground determinedly.
"I don't care if it was true! Which it's not … He didn't need to hear that! You were talking about it as if he wasn't even in the room!"
"He's just taking everything too personally," scowled Ron, crossing his arms. "He doesn't have to be so touchy about it … and you don't have to go running after him every time he has a tantrum…"
Both Ginny and Hermione stared at him disbelievingly.
"What!?" whispered Ginny, her eyes wide with shock. "I don't go running to him! I try and repair the damage you do to him!"
Ron held up his hands, "OK, fine. I admit I was probably a little blunt … but I don't mean to be! It's just the way it — "
"There!" Ginny exclaimed, pointing at Ron. "You don't mean to be. Well neither does he. He can't help it if all this stuff is focused toward him, so stop behaving as if he is!"
Ginny crossed her arms defiantly and glared at a rather guilty looking Ron. He sighed and slumped his shoulders, steeling a glance at Hermione, who was also giving him a hard stare.
"You want me to apologise to him, don't you?" muttered Ron, looking away from his sisters tear stained face.
"Yes I do," she replied quietly. "I just hope he'll even register you're there…" She stepped aside and motioned for Ron to approach Harry.
"What if he doesn't…?" said Hermione uncertainly.
"Then we'll just have to try and snap him out of it somehow…" Ginny replied sadly, giving Ron a pointed look. Looking mildly uncomfortable, Ron made his way over to Harry's motionless form………
"I'm relieved you thought of using Severus," said Hank, as he and Dumbledore made their way toward the hospital wing. "His idea really was ingenious."
Dumbledore smiled, "I told you we needed someone who uses cunning … though you are correct in saying it is brilliant."
Both men had just finished discussing Severus's plan to flush out Malfoy, each knowing their part in the events that they'd planned. Hank thought that now they had a good chance of getting Malfoy to turn himself in. The rest of the journey to the wing was in relative silence, until they got considerably nearer. Hank slowed his stride a couple of corridors away from the doors to the ward, sensing that something wasn't right. A frown creased his brow in concentration as he slowed to a stop, an uneasiness settling upon him.
"What is it?" asked Dumbledore, who'd stopped his progress when he felt Hank leave his side. He gazed at him in concern, seeing the apprehension in his eyes as he focused on something.
"I'm not sure…" Hank replied distractedly, still glancing around him for the source of the torment he could feel. "It feels like it's coming from the hospital wing…"
Hank looked up at Dumbledore sharply, seeing the recognition to the meaning of his words in his blue eyes. Without uttering another word, they both hurried down the hallways, not even pausing at the double doors, opening them forcefully.
They strode passed a still unconscious Malfoy and headed straight for Harry's room, ignoring Poppy's surprised exclamation as they entered the back area. Hank's sense of foreboding increased with every step he took and he practically threw himself at Harry's door; fumbling with the handle as he flung the door open; revealing the three students and lion.
Instantly, Hank noted how Hermione was cupping her head in her hands and how Ron had his mouth covered; both of them staring toward Ginny, who was leaning up against Harry, stroking his mane and whispering to him. All three of them were looking distraught, but Hank saw resounding guilt in the way Ron was holding himself.
"What's happened?" asked Hank urgently, as they all turned their eyes toward himself and Dumbledore. "What's wrong?"
Ron looked away and fidgeted with the hem of his robes. "I ahhh … um … I kinda said the wrong thing to him … and he … err … he's…"
"He's not here anymore!" Ginny finished desperately. Ron had tried to apologize to Harry, but as Ginny feared, he didn't even register that Ron was there. Hermione had tried speaking to him, but that didn't do anything either, so Ginny had opted to just sit with him; letting him know unconsciously that he wasn't alone. "He isn't responding to anything we say or do!" she continued.
"What on earth did you say to him!?" snapped Hank, baring down on Ron. "What would make him withdraw so much? He was perfectly fine when I left him! And why is he transformed?" added Hank, almost as an afterthought, taking his blazing eyes off Ron to glance at Harry.
"The ceremony started early," Hermione explained hurriedly. "He wasn't transformed earlier, but he suddenly started to feel pain in his elbow. Not long after that he screamed in agony right before he transformed. Apparently it stopped the pain he was feeling…"
Hank glanced at Dumbledore in mild confusion. "What do you mean the ceremony started early? It's not due to start for — " Hank stopped abruptly as realization passed through his eyes. He brought a hand to his forehead and let out a groan before dropping his arm again and shutting his eyes, shaking his head. "I am so stupid…"
When Hank opened his eyes again. It was to find four sets of eyes upon him; all looking either curious or worried.
"I forgot about the Kennelling…" said Hank regretfully, gazing over at Harry sadly.
"What's Kennelling?" asked Hermione.
Hank sighed and sat in the vacant chair. "Kennelling is the procedure that precedes the Final Ceremony."
Ginny shifted her position slightly and gazed at Hank uncertainly. "What, exactly, does Kennelling entail?"
Hank glanced at Dumbledore briefly and turned back to face the three students when he saw him give a small nod, telling him he could tell them.
"Well," Hank began, "the person that is going to have the ceremony performed upon them, must go through the Kennelling process. It involves the person being … well … staked to a couple of pieces of wood, through the elbows and knees; intended to keep them motionless during the ceremony. It occurs roughly an hour and a half before the ceremony begins."
"Sooo, You Know Who was … Kennelled a little while ago?" asked Hermione, her face grimacing as she imagined how Harry must have felt.
Hank nodded. "Yes. He'll stay that way until the ceremony is completed … then he'll be released."
"How is it that you know about all these procedures and rituals?" Hermione inquired, narrowing her eyes at him.
Hank grinned at Hermione's dubious stares. "I know these proceedings, because I'm personally acquainted with the savages that are to perform them."
"You're friends with them!?" gasped Hermione, her eyes widening in shock.
Hank laughed loudly, though it had a dense distain staining it's jovial message. "Friends? I assure you Hermione … I and they, are far from friends. I kill each one I see, on sight, and without remorse or mercy."
"You could take a life so callously?" Hermione whispered in disbelief, feeling a slight chill pass through her as Hank smiled at her.
"I could … can … and have. Countless times."
Hermione was shaking her head, unable to believe how her kind and friendly professor could so easily murder another living being … and not even show the slightest amount of remorse.
Hank suddenly scowled at her and shook his head in disbelief. "What is it with you and murder!? Every time someone mentions the taking of a life, you automatically assume it was done in cold blood or for their own pleasure!"
"Anyone that takes the life of another is a murderer!" argued Hermione, bristling in frustration.
"Really…" replied Hank calmly. "So … if Harry had allowed Remus and Sirius to take Pettigrew's life on that night two years ago … you would call them murderers?"
"Speaking of Harry…?" Ginny cut in before Hermione could give an answer. "You do remember the state of mind he is in currently? The debate can wait! We need to help him!"
"My apologies Miss Weasley," said Hank, gathering himself and approaching her and Harry. "You're absolutely correct. We need to get Harry back somehow…"
"What exactly was the topic in discussion when Harry started this?" Dumbledore asked as he watched Hank kneel in front of Harry and study his face.
Ginny frowned at Ron before turning to face the headmaster. "Ron was just being insensitive. He practically accused Harry flat out, that he was attracting the trouble that always seems to find him, on purpose! He made it sound as if it was his own fault he was in this situation…"
"I didn't know he'd react to it like this!" cried Ron in his own defence. "It's not my fault!"
"It's frustrating to have things that are beyond your control, to be blamed upon you, isn't it Mr Weasley?" said Hank knowingly, still staring at Harry. "The pressure you are under currently, is magnitudes less than what Harry must endure every day. He already blames himself for past actions that were beyond his control, so he doesn't need his friends adding to what is already needlessly upon his shoulders." Hank took a brief moment to glance at Ron sternly, still finding it hard to believe that one of Harry's friends would be so abrupt with him.
"Do you know what's wrong with him?" asked Dumbledore, his blue eyes brimming with concern as Hank rested both of his hands around Harry's temples.
"He's closed himself off," Hank answered grimly. "It's like a dam of misery has flooded his mind; making him relive his worst experiences. I have to try to bring him out of it. Once he's safe, he'll come out of his trance … but if he gives up his battle against it, he'll never come back…"
"How would you bring him out of it if we couldn't even get him to register that we were here?" asked Ginny in a hushed tone, blinking back the tears that had formed in her eyes.
Hank eyed her for a moment, taking in how Ginny was staring at them both. "Because he wants to come back," he answered simply. "He's just trying to break through what Mr Weasley let out … so I'll help him to do what he wishes."
"But how?" Hermione pressed. "We tried talking to him, and it didn't work. What could you do that's any different?"
"Harry's eyes and ears, are not paying attention to what is happening outside his mind … but they most certainly are paying attention to what's happening inside it … so that's where I'll talk to him…. Now if you please, I don't want anymore interruptions … it could mean the difference between success and failure."
Hank closed his eyes without waiting for a reply and began to concentrate; vaguely hearing Dumbledore telling Hermione to not interrupt. Hank centred himself, now cutting off all outside stimuli and focused his thoughts toward Harry, already beginning to hear the echoes of his torments.
"Harry?" Hank called telepathically, listening for a reply but not hearing one. "Harry, can you hear me?" he called again, louder and more forcefully.
Still nothing.
Steeling himself, Hank delved deep into Harry's mind, almost finding himself deafened by the screaming insults and threats flying from every direction. He covered his ears and looked around, finding himself in a pool of nothingness. Every now and then, a glimmer of an image would flare up, either nearby or far off, replaying one of Harry's memories.