Author: C. Night
Rating: PG
Category: Action/Adventure & Mystery
Disclaimer: Anything that you, Harry Potter fan that you are, recognize does not belong to me nor do I claim credit for it. J.K. Rowling and a bunch of other lucky people claim credit for the H.P. universe. I (sadly) do NOT.
A/N: For anyone who is wondering I seem to be on an update-every-Friday schedule. So look out for me each Friday!
Title: Getting Out or Dying Trying
Chapter 7: The Periwinkle Twinkle
I can feel awareness spreading through my body slowly and I savor the feeling.
I feel warm, safe and calm. I don't want to open my eyes. I want to- no need to preserve this bliss.
Slowly, I begin to feel more and more awake. I can hear the whispering of voices around me and I mutter, "Ron, you guys, shut up! I am trying to sleep!"
I hear something I am sure is a snort and I suddenly remembered where I am. What I am up against... everything that has happened. I shudder slightly at the memory of Estine's death and I want to go back to sleep and never wake up.
But I can't do that. Not only because of the whole 'Must kill Voldemort thing but for a much simpler reason- I am curious.
Last I remembered I was outside, in the snow. And now I was inside comfortably wrapped in some sort of blanket. Perhaps someone found me!
'After all Dumbledore and McGonagall had to of sent someone to look for me; I may very well be in the Hogwarts infirmary!'
The thought prompted me to open my eyes. Immediately they were assaulted with blue. It seemed as though the room I was in had been vandalized by some graffiti artists who were keen on the color blue.
The walls were painted a navy colored blue and had designs all over them in a lighter periwinkle blue. I couldn't make out what the designs were of exactly, but I didn't really care.
I can't stand the glaring blue which seems to be coming from everywhere and so I shut my eyes tightly. I hear someone chuckle lightly and say, "Looks like shorty here doesn't like the décor. I'm sure Abe will be crushed."
Laughter comes from somewhere on my right.
I tense immediately. The voices sound muffled and I realize that they have charms on them. I carefully open my eyes once again.
This time the blue doesn't catch me off guard. I scope out the room taking in the eight people in there with me. Their blue robes seem to melt into the navy of the walls and it takes me a while to figure out where exactly each one is.
It also probably took me a while as I was not wearing my glasses. The realization took me by surprise and I tried to take my arms out of the blanket to look for them. The blanket, however, seemed to have different plans.
It tightens around me and I frustrated squirm a round in it. It would not relinquish its grip however and I suddenly found myself in a sticky spot.
Trapped in a blanket.
I twist and push and try desperately to escape but it the blanket only seemed to get frustrated with my struggling and tightens around me.
Finally I stop panting slightly and very red in the face. My embarrassment only increases when I notice that all of the blue robed figures (still all wearing hoods obscuring their faces) were laughing at my plight.
I feel my face turning even redder when finally one of them seems to take pity on me and approaches with my glasses in his or her hand. He (I assume by the highly calloused fingers) gently places them on my face.
I can see clearly, but I am far from happy with my condition however and I get even more angry when one of the people in the room says, "Poor ickle Potter trapped by a blanket. Send for the Aurors this boy needs help!"
The comment spurs another round of laughter and even the man who took pity on me and gave me my glasses seems to be unable to resist laughing.
I am furious.
My breathing becomes suddenly more labored and my eyes narrow dangerously. Someone says in between laughs, "Uh-oh you'd better watch out now. Potter is getting maaadddd!"
I shut my eyes against the gales of laughter this remark gains and I try to stay calm.
I failed.
I screamed out bloody murder and I felt something inside me snap. I was about to rip apart the blanket with my teeth when I could feel, once again, the Sword of Gryffindor appear in my right hand under the blanket.
With a flick of the wrist I slice through the blanket and rise to stand on top of the bed I had been lying on.
The blue robed phantoms aren't laughing anymore.
They as one pull their wands but before they can utter a spell I, still caught up in my rage, move the sword in a swiping motion out in front of me (pointing toward the enemies) and yell "Stupefy!"
I don't think I had ever been as surprised in my life as when all eight of them dropped to the floor in a dead faint.
I, astonished, looked down at the Sword in my hand in awe. It had been much easier to summon it that time. I guess it was because I had done so previously and the sword was even closer to me that it was before.
Still caught up in my surprise at the fact that I had cast a spell through a sword I found myself running my hand up and down the blade of the sword. Stupidly I pricked my index finger on the end of it and a drop of my blood landed on the blade.
I moved to wipe the drop off with my robes (which by now were absolutely filthy) when I stopped in shock. The ruby red drop of blood shimmered for a second before turning a pure gold.
A gasp escaped my lips as the golden drop seemed to be sucked into the silver blade. The sword then grew warm in my hand and when I made to drop it, I found I could not.
Then, much to my shock the sword emitted a burst of pure white light. Blinded, I covered my eyes with my left hand feeling the sword grow very hot in my right.
It was painful to hold and tears were developing in my eyes by the time the light had gone.
I looked back down at the sword, eerily aware of the silence in the room, and found to my annoyance that it was exactly the same.
I switched the sword from my right to my left hand and my breath caught in my throat. I gazed at my uninjured, perfectly fine hand in wonderment. I had been sure that with the amount of heat coming off of the sword I was going to have a hand covered in oozing blisters.
But there was nothing. If anything the only difference in the sword seemed to be that it was cleaner. Annoyed I examined the sword even more closely. Something had to have happened!
And then I saw it.
The inscription near the hilt, which in my second year had been emblazoned with the name Godric Gryffindor, was now much different.
Exactly where the inscription I had gazed at reverently in my second year had once been there was a new inscription.
One which immediately made me feel light headed and just about sick with exhilaration. The sword now read:
Harry Potter
Gryffindor Heir
My vision swam before my eyes and I sat down on the bed I had still been standing on with a thud. The springs bounce gently beneath me as I think, 'There is no way!'
It was im-bloody-possible!
There was no way I was the heir of Gryffindor. Me, Harry Potter! Me- the kid who would have been sorted into Slytherin had he not been so set on not going there!
I don't know how long I sat there in that hideously blue room in shock. Unwilling to believe there was yet another thing different about me. Then the anger set in.
'Did Dumbledore know? Was he keeping it from me for my "protection" once again?!? If he was I was going to kill him! Damn it! Headmaster or not if he knew about this and kept quiet he would pay. I was going to take his lemon drops and-'
My heated thoughts about Headmaster Dumbledore's fate were interrupted by a heavy groan from the ground.
'Oh yes,' I remembered, 'the Annoying Git Squad is still in here.'
I lifted The Sword of Gryffi- no my sword and lazily mumbled "Petrificus Totalus" at the aggressor who was moving were slowly on the floor.
It didn't work.
Alarmed I tried again with a bit more vigor. Once again- no results. 'Ok then, its time to go,' I thought hurriedly.
I jumped off the somewhat comfortable bed on which I had been sitting and made for the door.
Luckily the only blue robed moron who dared to move was seemingly still too effected by my first spell to do anything but mutter, "Don't.... go....didn't give you.... instruction" in my direction before slipping back into unconsciousness.
"Right, don't go," I mumbled as I stepped over the sky blue blanket I'd torn to shreds earlier, "I'll just stay here with you then. Sorry mate, not going to happen."
I tucked my sword in between my belt and my pants, its ruby incrusted hilt preventing it from slipping and I opened the door. I glanced back in the room once more and noted that this was definitely some kid's bedroom.
"Poor kid's going to come back only to find a bunch of unconscious weirdoes in his room. But... what can you do?" I mumble to my self as I step out of the room and close the door.
I smile for the first time since Estine died when I see that on the door which I had just closed there is a childish sign with a picture of a Billy Goat reading a book on it. Underneath the goat, written in bold print were the words "Abe's Room."
I still had a smile on my face even when I realized that I was back in the castle I had only recently managed to escape.
I racked my brain to come up with the layout of the castle I had somehow acquired when I had lost my eyesight, but I couldn't recall it.
So I took to wandering the halls. I noticed that I was in the part of the castle where Andrew, Adrianna and Abe (I supposed) lived. Each room seemed to be a bedroom but surprisingly I ran into no one.
Idly I wondered if Andrew was safe as I tried to ignore the growling of my stomach. I hadn't eaten since...
I couldn't even remember...
Oh yes! The last time I had eaten had been on the night of December 23rd, probably three or four hours before I had found myself trapped in the cell.
I distinctly remembered walking out of the Gryffindor Tower something akin to snitches fluttering in my stomach as I walked determined to the kitchen.
I remembered thanking my lucky stars that I had been able (after nearly a week and a half of reassuring and gentle prodding) to convince Ron and Hermione that I wanted them to go to the Burrow for the Christmas Holiday without me.
The two had recently started dating and as I told them, "It was important for this Christmas to be spent with family. After all if Hermione was going to be the next Weasley the family had to have some alone time with her."
That comment had triggered the brightest red blushes I had ever seen from the pair and after sending about 10 owls to Mrs. Weasley telling her I was sure I would be fine alone in the castle and I was sure I didn't want to come I had freed myself for the holiday. No Hermione, no Ron, no anyone really.
Only a very, very select few people had stayed at Hogwarts for the break seeing as the war with Voldemort was fully brewing and the teachers had encouraged students to go home both to spend more time with their families and to allow the faculty time to strengthen the wards around the school (the task was much easier with less people residing in the castle).
So there I was. Taking advantage of the less strictly enforced curfew during holiday and slowly making my way toward the kitchens.
In what seemed like no time I was there and when the pear giggled revealing the hidden entrance I felt as though my heart was going to beat its way straight through my ribs.
On the outside however I looked perfectly nonchalant. A skill I had steadily perfected over the summer Harry Potter no longer wore his heart on his sleeve at all times.
But then of course there was one person who could always see through my masks.
"Nervous? And here I was thinking this was just a casual glass of hot chocolate between...friends," a silky voice spoke from right behind me.
I cursed myself for quivering slightly at her voice and turned to face her- my expression blank. "Good evening Ms. Zabini," I drawled slowly as I mockingly bowed to her. As I stood straight I fanned my right arm out to the side (pointing into the kitchen) and indicated with a flourish that she should enter first.
She smirked, at me, but her light chocolate brown eyes twinkled Dumbledoreishly. "Well good evening to you as well Sir Potter," she said aristocratically as she stepped into the kitchen before me.
Dobby, faithful as ever, immediately appeared at my side as the portrait closed behind Blaise and I. "Harry Potter!" the house elf shrieked happily, "What is good Master Potter wanting Dobby to do??"
"Well, first Dobby let me introduce you to a good friend of mine- Blaise Zabini meet Dobby the House elf a very faithful mate of mine. Dobby, Blaise."
I admit I wasn't too sure how Blaise would react to my introducing her to a house elf as if they were equals. I know enough about Slytherin politics to know that house elves are not creatures to which you are formally introduced, but she handled the situation with grace.
When Dobby bowed very low to her, his pile of hats knitted by Hermione all tumbling to the floor, she chuckled lightly and before Dobby could snap his fingers and put them back in place she knelt down on the floor and placed each one back on his head taking care to make sure they were all snugly fit between his large ears.
When she was finished she looked him straight in the eyes and said, "Hello Dobby. How nice to see you, we haven't crossed paths in quite a few years."
Dobby immediately burst into tears, "Oh Miss Zabini is remembering Dobby! Miss Zabini is ever so kind, gracious, lovely-"
"Well I don't know about all that," I interrupted before Dobby could continue and both Blaise and Dobby turned to look at me.
Before Blaise could say a word Dobby ran over to me his hats wobbling slightly as his little legs propelled him forward. "Oh but Master Potter is not knowing!" Dobby exclaimed.
"When Miss Zabini is being a little little girl she is being kind to Dobby at the house of the evil bad Malfoys!"
Blaise narrowed her eyes at this and Dobby noticed immediately and began to slam his head into the ground, his hats falling askew once more.
"Stop it!" I exclaimed but the little elf refused to listen to me.
"Dobby! I order you to stop," Blaise said finally. At her words the elf stopped and reverently said, "Dobby is being very sorry for insulting the family of Miss Zabini. Very sorry."
"It's ok Dobby," Blaise responded, "I gather that they aren't your masters anymore so you can say what you wish about them."
Dobby seemed to have no response for this so he turned to me with his big eyes full of tears, "Is Master Potter needing anything?"
"Yes Dobby. Can you please bring over three glasses of hot chocolate. Extra marshmallows please," I responded.
Dobby seemed very happy to have something to do and was gone in a flash. I turned back around to find that Blaise had sat down at the table which corresponded with the Ravenclaw table in the Great Hall above.
At my raised eyebrow she responded, "Neutral territory."
"And what about the Hufflepuff table," I said with a slight smirk anticipating her response, "Isn't that neutral territory as well?"
"I would never be caught dead sitting at the Hufflepuff table," she said solemnly as I sat down across from her at the Ravenclaw table.
We stared at each other for a moment before we started laughing. I grew somber before she did and I enjoyed simply watching her laugh. Her dark curly hair merrily caressed her face as she shook her head with mirth. I smiled gently at her and took note of the fact that she, unlike myself, was not wearing her school uniform.
She wore a warm and soft looking green sweater that by the looks of it cost as much as one of the gold goblets in the Great Hall and a pair of dark brown pants which perfectly matched her eyes.
The outfit was entirely Muggle and I wondered why she pureblood that she was, was wearing it. She seemed to notice that I was staring at her clothes and opened her mouth to say something when Dobby popped back over with not only three steaming mugs of cocoa but about 7 different types of strudels and pastries.
Dobby was about to pop away when I stopped him, "Dobby please come sit with us for a minute. I asked for one hot chocolate for you, you know."
One of Blaise's dark eyebrows rose at this but I ignored her. "Please," I persisted.
"Dobby could not! No Dobby is not eating with... Master Potter and Miss Zabini!" the elf stammered particularly when he said Blaise's name.
"Please Dobby it would make both of us very happy," I pleaded.
Dobby turned his eyes on Blaise and she seemed to forget her previous anger, "Sure Dobby, come join us just for a bit."
Dobby did not respond but he did sit down near me and when I handed him a mug of hot chocolate he took it and seemed to sip it gently.
I wasn't too sure what house elves ate or drank but he seemed to of never had it before. The pleasure on his face after the first sip made both Blaise and I smile.
So the three of us sat and engaged in idle chit chat until Dobby finished his cup and insisted that he leave.
Once he had popped away I asked the question that had been sitting at the tip of my tongue the whole time, "Just how closely related are you to the Malfoys?"
Blaise smiled wryly and responded, "The man you put in prison last year is my good old Uncle Lucius."
I just about fainted from the shock. How could she be so civil to me after what I did. Not that what I did was wrong by any means (in fact it was one of the few good things I did last year) but come on did the girl have any family loyalty?
She laughed at the look on my face. "I hold him fully responsible for where he has ended up," she said. "I, unlike Cousin Draco, do not push blame upon others to try to keep a perfect image of someone."
She sipped on her, now cool cocoa, and said "I never really agreed with all the anti Muggle sentiments raging through my family. After all, my mother was almost exactly like Arthur Weasley when it comes to Muggles. She loved everything about the way they lived. My father says it was her one fault, but I find myself leaning toward her feelings at least when it comes to Muggle clothing. I find it much more comfortable and stylish," she said indicating her sweater.
"My father was furious when I started wearing them, but once he saw that it wasn't some odd phase he insisted that I only wear the best Muggles had to offer."
I listened intently munching on a pastry as she explained, "My father, incase you are wondering is the cousin of Lucius Malfoy. Which I guess would make Draco my third cousin or something and Lucius my second cousin but its too confusing to refer to it like that. It's a distant relation, but a relation nonetheless."
I nodded in understanding and sampled another pastry. "Well I like your clothes," I said after I swallowed another bite, "Your sweater brings out the green in your eyes."
She smiled and said, "Are you attempting to seduce me Harry Potter?"
Quite suddenly I am brought back to the present. Out of my reminiscing and back to the castle in which I am trapped. Trapped and looking for a way to get home.. a way to get to Hogwarts.
Then I remember why I was snapped out of my memories.
I can smell food. My stomach growls almost painfully and as I rush toward the heavenly smell. A few pastries after dinner a few days ago... that was the last time I ate. The thought makes me go faster.
The hallways of the castle are getting a bit wider and I get the feeling that I am approaching a hall or a dining room.
I wonder idly if there will be people in there as I hurry along my sword clanking heavily against my thigh as I go.
Finally I reach a set of double doors and when I open them I see a sight I was totally unprepared for. There is no food in sight.
Instead, I come face to face with Professor Albus Dumbledore, his periwinkle eyes twinkle merrily.
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Author's (C. Night) Notes: Aren't I evil!?! I know, I know how could I stop there? But the chapter was already much longer than usual so I had to have yet another cliffe. This chapter was the hardest to write for some reason I felt like it wasn't flowing right. Tell me what you thought. Good news though, the end is near folks. And explanations are on the way. But this chapter had so many little clues in it I was afraid I was giving away the entire plot. Brownie points to anyone who finds one and says it in a review. I'd like to know if I am being too obvious. Oh yes, anyone want to be my beta reader? Get chapters in advance (thus find out everything before everyone else) and get rid of all of my highly annoying little errors! Sounds like fun to me! Drop me a review with your e-mail if you're interested.
And please, I know that this is getting very very confusing, but just enjoy the ride with me for a bit longer. Everything will be explained and you will be smacking yourself over the head when you notice all the little clues I've hidden right under your noses! Until then take comfort in the fact that no one else knows what the hell is going on either. Ah... fun times. Oh and to make sure that in the following chapter I answer everything you want to know I would appreciate it if in your reviews you leave questions a bit more specific than "What is going on?" lol Thanks very much.
Now to the wonderful, amazing, astonishingly cool people who did me the honor of reviewing the last chapter:
Cornflake: Thank you very much for your kind words. The first person is a bit hard to write particularly in this chapter. Don't know why but I found myself getting very annoyed with it at some points. Thanks for reviewing & please come again!
HermionePotter141: Yes poor Estine. We shall all miss him. And rest assured that Harry will be furious with whoever is behind his present condition. Should be fun to write and read. Thanks for reviewing & please come again!
Night Serpent (NS): Well, I am actually sorry this time. This is my third evil chapter in a row. Alright I am not sorry... it's just so much fun! Thanks for reviewing & please come again!
TheAlphieParadox: I am very glad you are enjoying the story. And I didn't kill Estine, lol that was a bad boy by the name of Neolik. I had nothing to do with it! ::backs away slowly:: lol Thanks for reviewing & please come again!
Temporary Insanity: I bet you are very happy with this chapter then Blaise is a big part of it. I have never run across anyone whose favorite ship was Harry/Blaise. It must be hard for you to find anything to read on it. Glad to be of service. Thanks for reviewing & please come again!
Elssha: Well, this review was a pleasant surprise seeing as I am a rather big fan of your story although I must admit that I am very alarmed to hear that someone is going to die lol. I am glad you like my Harry/Blaise I wanted to do something different with his love life. And if I recall correctly Harry is also a panther Anigmus is your story too. I wrote my chapter before that was revealed, but I found it amusing. Thanks for reviewing & please come again!
Silver Queen: All the shizz-nizz will be revealed lol. Just hang with me for a bit. Harry is getting angsty too, but we're almost there. Thanks for reviewing & please come again!
Jaycee: Harry's arrogance, I am glad you mentioned it. I wanted to point out that this is from Harry's POV so you hear his thoughts. I decided to make him somewhat arrogant because looking back on his years at Hogwarts (think 2nd year duel with Malfoy) he is pretty arrogant when faced with adversity and most of his arrogance comes through in his thoughts. I am glad you like it because I love writing it. Thanks for reviewing & please come again!
Byron245: Thank you for the encouragement. It is much needed at time particularly on chapters like this one when I just want to throw the computer at the wall. Thanks for reviewing & please come again!
Elayne Sedai: I have never read the wheel of time series but now I am definitely curious. Estine was pretty loyal wasn't he... hum oh well lol. Thanks for reviewing & please come again!
Sea Turtles: Thank you very much for always reviewing it really helps to know that I am not wasting my time think up all the little twists and turns Harry goes through. As for where the kids are coming from... you'll see. Hehehehe Thanks for reviewing & please come again!
i-hate-cliffes: well I am sorry about this chapter as once again here we have another cliffe. Thank you for reviewing and showing such loyalty to Estine. Albeit a bit disturbing loyalty, but hey I loved him too. And Blaise will actually make an appearance if/when Harry gets out. Thanks for reviewing & please come again!
Until next time... review!
* I'm telling you it isn't as bad as you think. You don't even have to be a member of the site. Press the periwinkle button that says "Go" make up an interesting alias for yourself and tell me what you think. No big deal... and it makes me very happy! And who doesn't want that?? *
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