A/N: I am so sorry updating has taken so long! I have gotten my English grade up, but shortly after I posted the last chapter, my friend who has been sick for a long time, passed away. I attended the funeral two weeks ago last Friday, and was even a part of it with many of her friends who are like a family to me. Shortly after that, a music teacher who directs a choir I'm in has had a recurrance of ovarian cancer in her other ovary and it must be removed. For these two main reasons, I have been neglecting any writing that has been started. I will try to keep the story rolling, but I'm in the middle of many things right now.
And I managed to hurt my back so this is the longest i've been in an actual sitting position for awhile without wanting to die!
Here's more...I love reviews, but due to a lack of time, I cannot really respond to them No Name, lol! I would like to answer a couple questions for you. I was going to fail English b/c I chose not to apply myself in that class because of my dislike for my teacher. I love writing, just I love narratives and stories (creative writing, which I cannot take at my school until next year, is where my interest lies), I do not enjoy the books picked by the district for students to read. My real name is Kaitlin, I tend to go by Katie with most people, but my friends at church and school call me Kats! I think I've answered your big questions! Here's another chapter!
Oh yes, in my preview for this chapter, it was false. I don't include too much of what I said would be in there...please forgive me, my mind was somewhere else.
Thanks to my beta! You rock! I'm so glad I finally have someone nice enough to beta for me!!!
Also thank you very much for your ideas! I've put most of them to use!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Chapter Five: Exploring!
Minerva watched the boy sleep for a short period of time then wake up. Generally, three year olds didn't have nightmares like his. She had expected nightmares about boogie men and closet monsters, but never nightmares of Harry remembering the day his parents were killed. It seemed that when he was sick, the nightmares got worse.
Pomfrey examined him every two to three days, and they had found progress. He could keep down solid food, but still ran a slight temperature. Snape did his best to stay away from the boy, and Dumbledore spent much of his time reading to Harry and playing games with him. Minerva was getting ready for classes, which were to start in less than a week, and her goal was for Harry to be well by September 1st so that he could join everyone for the feast and Sorting Ceremony.
The one worry that Pomfrey had was that someone tried to make the boy sick. He was sitting up in bed laughing at a joke Dumbledore had told him, when Madam Pomfrey came in, "Well, now. How are we feeling today Harry?"
He shrugged, "Better...Can I go explore Hoggerts yet?"
She shook her head as Dumbledore laughed, "When you're fever goes down completely and you feel much, much better, then yes, you can explore. But Aunt Minnie has to say it's okay first."
"Yes Uncle Albus."
Pomfrey smiled as she stepped away from the bed, "Well, Harry, I don't think you have a fever anymore. We just need to be careful of what you eat so you don't get sick again. How does that sound?"
Harry grinned, "Can I go exploring now Uncle Albus?"
The elderly man's long white hair was fanned across his back, behind his shoulders, and his beard came down farther than it had in many years. Both were a silvery color from his old age. His baby blue eyes had the same twinkle of joy the usually had, "Ask Aunt Minnie, Harry. She is the only one who can give you permission to do that."
Harry smiled and looked at Madam Pomfrey, "I'm getting out of bed now, is that okay?"
"Of course, Child." She replied slowly. Unsure of if he was really as well as he appeared.
Harry ran out to the living room and small kitchen area and gently tugged on an older woman's robes. There was no green hat on her head as usual, but her hair was up in a tight bun at the top of her head, "Aunt Minnie," The boy whispered.
Minerva McGonagall looked down and smiled, "Why Harry, are you feeling better?"
"Yes I am, Aunt Minnie." He replied quickly, "I was wondering if I could go explore Hoggerts some. Is that okay?"
Minerva looked thoughtful for a moment then shook her head, "I'm afraid not Harry, I think you should wait until we have more than half an hour, then I'll go with you. But lunch is coming soon. Let's get dressed anyway. Okay?"
Harry put on a pouting face, but knew it would never work, "Okay Aunt Minnie. I want to wear my orange robes today."
She held out her hand and the small child slipped his tiny hand into hers. She lead him into his room, then picked him up and plopped him on the bed. She smiled at Albus who was sitting in the same scarlet chair and looked over at Madam Pomfrey who was cleaning up the mess that had been made by many while watching the three year old child who was in their care, "Is he well again, Poppy?"
She smiled and nodded, "His fever is gone, I say we be a little careful with what he eats so that his stomach stays settled, and I'm sure we'll be just fine."
Harry grinned at the news, as did Minerva, "Alright Harry. Let's get you dressed. Thank you for watching him Albus, and Poppy, the care you have provided is much appreciated."
"Oh Minerva," She sighed, "I'm just doing my job. I must be off though, I have many potions that must be restored from the summer holidays, I need to get a list to Severus so he can assist me." The woman, who was younger than the other two adults in the room, made her way over to Harry, "Be good Harry, I don't want you in the hospital wing too often this year."
Albus chuckled softly at the woman's request, knowing that if Harry would be anything like his father, James Potter, and his friends, that the hospital wing will be quite inevitable throughout his duration of time at Hogwarts.
"Aunt Minnie! Hurry up! I want to go exploring Hoggerts after lunch!"
Albus stood slowly, "I will see you at lunch Harry. I have to go get myself ready." Minerva nodded in Albus' direction and Harry waved goodbye to the man as he left the room.
"Aunt Minnie, can I wear my black sweater and blue jeans under my robes? Please! I like that sweater, it's warm," The young child pleaded with his guardian.
She sighed, "I suppose so." Minerva, clad in her usual emerald green robes, rummaged through the dresser sitting in Harry's room, "Let's see, you're orange robe," She grabbed it and laid it out on the bed, "Blue jeans, and black sweater, correct?"
Harry nodded and smiled as the woman assisted him in getting ready. Minerva knew the boy still needed help and guidance in this time. He was only three and constantly woke, complaining of nightmares that had a man with beady red eyes and green light. Minerva knew he kept reliving the night, two years ago, at Godric's Hollow, but she couldn't help him too much, except holding him and singing him back to sleep afterwords. She hoped one day, the nightmares would cease and he would finally be able to sleep peacefully every night.
Harry jumped up as soon as he was done getting dressed, "Lunch time! I want peanut butter and Jelly!"
"I told the house elves you'd want that today. I do believe Lypsi was pleased to hear you'd be back in the Great Hall for lunch."
Harry quickly put his small hand in Minerva's, which was at least three times the size, and attempted to drag her out of the room so that he could go have lunch. She took her time and eventually, Harry figured out that he had to slow down. Eventually, after what seemed, to Harry, to be an eternity, they reached the Great Hall. He took his place between Uncle Albus and Aunt Minnie, which would soon change because of the students. It would be only minor, Harry would still be at the head table, only on the other side of Aunt Minnie.
Nothing eventful occured at lunch, and for that, everyone was greatful. There were conversations of quidditch, in which someone suggested that in the new school year they begin training with Harry. Minerva silenced that thought with a look that would kill. No three year old should be riding a broom. Harry could wait a couple more years before learning how to play quidditch.
Minerva realized she hadn't seen Harry smile so much, ever. She couldn't figure out why the young boy was so happy at Hogwarts, what was different there than at home. She knew that the many professors often spoiled the child, but since he'd arrived, he'd been ill and unable to keep down the many sweets he gets in one day.
After lunch, Minerva turned to Harry, "I'm a little tired, Harry. How about we go exploring after I take a nap?"
"But," Harry started, then decided it was better to just plead with his eyes.
Minerva shook her head, "No buts, Child. We'll go exploring after I take a nap. Let's go back to our rooms, you can play until then. Alright?"
"Yes Aunt Minnie," Harry replied, a hint of sadness evident in his voice. You could see in the boy's eyes that he was planning something though, it was the same look his father got when he was going to try to pull something off. But Minerva was tired, she'd gotten so little sleep trying to take care of the child, so she didn't even notice that Harry was going to make a move. He wanted to explore 'Hoggerts,' and nothing would stop him.
So as he sat playing with wizard figurines in the living room, and Minerva went to sleep, he checked on her shortly after, she was sound asleep in her bed. He quickly left through the door, shutting it as quietly as possible. Pleased that he'd made it that far. He followed the many corridors of the castle, until he found himself in a dark and damp area, not well lit. He thought of turning back, but the curious little boy decided to move on. Harry found a room with cauldrons everywhere and a door left slightly open. The door was really a painting with two snakes coiled around eachother on it.
He entered the small room to find walls covered in bookcases, all full of books, a fireplace with a fire burning, radiating the warmth from the orange and yellow flames, a green couch with a chair of the same deep shade next to it. And in one corner, a black desk with matching chair, and papers and books all over the top. Harry looked at the desk for a moment, and found that what caught his eye was a silver basin with symbols carved into it near the rim. He wanted to see it closer, so he walked over the chair, being as quiet as possible, used the chair to climb to the top of the desk.
He found in it a silvery-white liquid swirling around. Wanting to know what it was, Harry stuck one finger it, the liquid was cool, but not too cold. Within a few seconds, he felt himself being pulled in. He didn't scream, but he was scared. Slowly, Harry's surroundings began to take shape.
'He saw a house, an old house, with windows boarded because they were broken. It was three stories tall. There was a man with beady red eyes standing in front of it, with a circle of people in robes and masks in a circle around him. There was one hole, and Harry walked over to fill it up. In the middle there was a man standing, he looked like all the rest, "My Lord, I am sorry, My Lord, the potion worked when I used it on myself. I have made a mistake, My Lord."
Harry looked once again at the man with beady red eyes, he gasped, it was the man from his nightmares, with the green light. And the voice of the one pleading in the middle sounded much like Sevrus' voice. The man from Hoggerts. Harry didn't understand it.
"You did not do good enough!" The beady eyed man hissed and Harry cringed at the voice. He watched as the man raised the wooden stick, the same wooden stick he often saw Aunt Minnie and Uncle Albus and everyone at Hoggerts use. He pointed the wooden stick at Severus, "Crucio."
Harry watched as the man in the center tumbled to the cround, convulsions wracked his entire body. He could see the pain on the man's face, but noticed that there were no screams. He wanted to stop watching so badly, so very badly, but he couldn't turn away. After a short period of time, Harry heard the earsplitting screams. The cries for help, the fear evident in the voice, but most of all, the pain.
The three year old couldn't understand it, he knew he was screaming too, but for some reason, no one seemed to notice it. Harry felt a slight twinge in his scar, but thought nothing of it in the midst of everything else going on. He himself fell to the ground, using his own, small, hands, which were shaking, to shield his eyes from the sight.'
Then, Harry felt himself being pulled from the memory and thrown on the couch, "Potter." A man hissed. It was the voice of the man being tortured. It was Sevrus, "What ARE you doing?"
~~~~~~~
A/N: So?! I gave up on the previews...because, as you can tell, I rarely stick to what I'm going to say I'm going to do...Please review...thanks again to my beta! You rock! I hope to have the new chapter up soon...but I have SO much going on (I made the school musical...I got the lead!!!) so It may take a while (You see, I have at least 4 hours of practice a day, usually one in the morning and 3 after school...but the performance is February 26, and we're not quite ready...). I'll try and hurry! Please Review!
Oh Yes...My chapters get shorter and shorter, that was pointed out by my beta....all of my chapters are kinda short though...and I sometimes just cut them and upload them b/c I'm running out of time! My appologies....I think I spelled that wrong...don't you just love how I incorporated the pensieve? I have to give credit where credit is due. That was my playmer's idea. Playmer is my beta! Everyone thank playmer now! YaY!
And I managed to hurt my back so this is the longest i've been in an actual sitting position for awhile without wanting to die!
Here's more...I love reviews, but due to a lack of time, I cannot really respond to them No Name, lol! I would like to answer a couple questions for you. I was going to fail English b/c I chose not to apply myself in that class because of my dislike for my teacher. I love writing, just I love narratives and stories (creative writing, which I cannot take at my school until next year, is where my interest lies), I do not enjoy the books picked by the district for students to read. My real name is Kaitlin, I tend to go by Katie with most people, but my friends at church and school call me Kats! I think I've answered your big questions! Here's another chapter!
Oh yes, in my preview for this chapter, it was false. I don't include too much of what I said would be in there...please forgive me, my mind was somewhere else.
Thanks to my beta! You rock! I'm so glad I finally have someone nice enough to beta for me!!!
Also thank you very much for your ideas! I've put most of them to use!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Chapter Five: Exploring!
Minerva watched the boy sleep for a short period of time then wake up. Generally, three year olds didn't have nightmares like his. She had expected nightmares about boogie men and closet monsters, but never nightmares of Harry remembering the day his parents were killed. It seemed that when he was sick, the nightmares got worse.
Pomfrey examined him every two to three days, and they had found progress. He could keep down solid food, but still ran a slight temperature. Snape did his best to stay away from the boy, and Dumbledore spent much of his time reading to Harry and playing games with him. Minerva was getting ready for classes, which were to start in less than a week, and her goal was for Harry to be well by September 1st so that he could join everyone for the feast and Sorting Ceremony.
The one worry that Pomfrey had was that someone tried to make the boy sick. He was sitting up in bed laughing at a joke Dumbledore had told him, when Madam Pomfrey came in, "Well, now. How are we feeling today Harry?"
He shrugged, "Better...Can I go explore Hoggerts yet?"
She shook her head as Dumbledore laughed, "When you're fever goes down completely and you feel much, much better, then yes, you can explore. But Aunt Minnie has to say it's okay first."
"Yes Uncle Albus."
Pomfrey smiled as she stepped away from the bed, "Well, Harry, I don't think you have a fever anymore. We just need to be careful of what you eat so you don't get sick again. How does that sound?"
Harry grinned, "Can I go exploring now Uncle Albus?"
The elderly man's long white hair was fanned across his back, behind his shoulders, and his beard came down farther than it had in many years. Both were a silvery color from his old age. His baby blue eyes had the same twinkle of joy the usually had, "Ask Aunt Minnie, Harry. She is the only one who can give you permission to do that."
Harry smiled and looked at Madam Pomfrey, "I'm getting out of bed now, is that okay?"
"Of course, Child." She replied slowly. Unsure of if he was really as well as he appeared.
Harry ran out to the living room and small kitchen area and gently tugged on an older woman's robes. There was no green hat on her head as usual, but her hair was up in a tight bun at the top of her head, "Aunt Minnie," The boy whispered.
Minerva McGonagall looked down and smiled, "Why Harry, are you feeling better?"
"Yes I am, Aunt Minnie." He replied quickly, "I was wondering if I could go explore Hoggerts some. Is that okay?"
Minerva looked thoughtful for a moment then shook her head, "I'm afraid not Harry, I think you should wait until we have more than half an hour, then I'll go with you. But lunch is coming soon. Let's get dressed anyway. Okay?"
Harry put on a pouting face, but knew it would never work, "Okay Aunt Minnie. I want to wear my orange robes today."
She held out her hand and the small child slipped his tiny hand into hers. She lead him into his room, then picked him up and plopped him on the bed. She smiled at Albus who was sitting in the same scarlet chair and looked over at Madam Pomfrey who was cleaning up the mess that had been made by many while watching the three year old child who was in their care, "Is he well again, Poppy?"
She smiled and nodded, "His fever is gone, I say we be a little careful with what he eats so that his stomach stays settled, and I'm sure we'll be just fine."
Harry grinned at the news, as did Minerva, "Alright Harry. Let's get you dressed. Thank you for watching him Albus, and Poppy, the care you have provided is much appreciated."
"Oh Minerva," She sighed, "I'm just doing my job. I must be off though, I have many potions that must be restored from the summer holidays, I need to get a list to Severus so he can assist me." The woman, who was younger than the other two adults in the room, made her way over to Harry, "Be good Harry, I don't want you in the hospital wing too often this year."
Albus chuckled softly at the woman's request, knowing that if Harry would be anything like his father, James Potter, and his friends, that the hospital wing will be quite inevitable throughout his duration of time at Hogwarts.
"Aunt Minnie! Hurry up! I want to go exploring Hoggerts after lunch!"
Albus stood slowly, "I will see you at lunch Harry. I have to go get myself ready." Minerva nodded in Albus' direction and Harry waved goodbye to the man as he left the room.
"Aunt Minnie, can I wear my black sweater and blue jeans under my robes? Please! I like that sweater, it's warm," The young child pleaded with his guardian.
She sighed, "I suppose so." Minerva, clad in her usual emerald green robes, rummaged through the dresser sitting in Harry's room, "Let's see, you're orange robe," She grabbed it and laid it out on the bed, "Blue jeans, and black sweater, correct?"
Harry nodded and smiled as the woman assisted him in getting ready. Minerva knew the boy still needed help and guidance in this time. He was only three and constantly woke, complaining of nightmares that had a man with beady red eyes and green light. Minerva knew he kept reliving the night, two years ago, at Godric's Hollow, but she couldn't help him too much, except holding him and singing him back to sleep afterwords. She hoped one day, the nightmares would cease and he would finally be able to sleep peacefully every night.
Harry jumped up as soon as he was done getting dressed, "Lunch time! I want peanut butter and Jelly!"
"I told the house elves you'd want that today. I do believe Lypsi was pleased to hear you'd be back in the Great Hall for lunch."
Harry quickly put his small hand in Minerva's, which was at least three times the size, and attempted to drag her out of the room so that he could go have lunch. She took her time and eventually, Harry figured out that he had to slow down. Eventually, after what seemed, to Harry, to be an eternity, they reached the Great Hall. He took his place between Uncle Albus and Aunt Minnie, which would soon change because of the students. It would be only minor, Harry would still be at the head table, only on the other side of Aunt Minnie.
Nothing eventful occured at lunch, and for that, everyone was greatful. There were conversations of quidditch, in which someone suggested that in the new school year they begin training with Harry. Minerva silenced that thought with a look that would kill. No three year old should be riding a broom. Harry could wait a couple more years before learning how to play quidditch.
Minerva realized she hadn't seen Harry smile so much, ever. She couldn't figure out why the young boy was so happy at Hogwarts, what was different there than at home. She knew that the many professors often spoiled the child, but since he'd arrived, he'd been ill and unable to keep down the many sweets he gets in one day.
After lunch, Minerva turned to Harry, "I'm a little tired, Harry. How about we go exploring after I take a nap?"
"But," Harry started, then decided it was better to just plead with his eyes.
Minerva shook her head, "No buts, Child. We'll go exploring after I take a nap. Let's go back to our rooms, you can play until then. Alright?"
"Yes Aunt Minnie," Harry replied, a hint of sadness evident in his voice. You could see in the boy's eyes that he was planning something though, it was the same look his father got when he was going to try to pull something off. But Minerva was tired, she'd gotten so little sleep trying to take care of the child, so she didn't even notice that Harry was going to make a move. He wanted to explore 'Hoggerts,' and nothing would stop him.
So as he sat playing with wizard figurines in the living room, and Minerva went to sleep, he checked on her shortly after, she was sound asleep in her bed. He quickly left through the door, shutting it as quietly as possible. Pleased that he'd made it that far. He followed the many corridors of the castle, until he found himself in a dark and damp area, not well lit. He thought of turning back, but the curious little boy decided to move on. Harry found a room with cauldrons everywhere and a door left slightly open. The door was really a painting with two snakes coiled around eachother on it.
He entered the small room to find walls covered in bookcases, all full of books, a fireplace with a fire burning, radiating the warmth from the orange and yellow flames, a green couch with a chair of the same deep shade next to it. And in one corner, a black desk with matching chair, and papers and books all over the top. Harry looked at the desk for a moment, and found that what caught his eye was a silver basin with symbols carved into it near the rim. He wanted to see it closer, so he walked over the chair, being as quiet as possible, used the chair to climb to the top of the desk.
He found in it a silvery-white liquid swirling around. Wanting to know what it was, Harry stuck one finger it, the liquid was cool, but not too cold. Within a few seconds, he felt himself being pulled in. He didn't scream, but he was scared. Slowly, Harry's surroundings began to take shape.
'He saw a house, an old house, with windows boarded because they were broken. It was three stories tall. There was a man with beady red eyes standing in front of it, with a circle of people in robes and masks in a circle around him. There was one hole, and Harry walked over to fill it up. In the middle there was a man standing, he looked like all the rest, "My Lord, I am sorry, My Lord, the potion worked when I used it on myself. I have made a mistake, My Lord."
Harry looked once again at the man with beady red eyes, he gasped, it was the man from his nightmares, with the green light. And the voice of the one pleading in the middle sounded much like Sevrus' voice. The man from Hoggerts. Harry didn't understand it.
"You did not do good enough!" The beady eyed man hissed and Harry cringed at the voice. He watched as the man raised the wooden stick, the same wooden stick he often saw Aunt Minnie and Uncle Albus and everyone at Hoggerts use. He pointed the wooden stick at Severus, "Crucio."
Harry watched as the man in the center tumbled to the cround, convulsions wracked his entire body. He could see the pain on the man's face, but noticed that there were no screams. He wanted to stop watching so badly, so very badly, but he couldn't turn away. After a short period of time, Harry heard the earsplitting screams. The cries for help, the fear evident in the voice, but most of all, the pain.
The three year old couldn't understand it, he knew he was screaming too, but for some reason, no one seemed to notice it. Harry felt a slight twinge in his scar, but thought nothing of it in the midst of everything else going on. He himself fell to the ground, using his own, small, hands, which were shaking, to shield his eyes from the sight.'
Then, Harry felt himself being pulled from the memory and thrown on the couch, "Potter." A man hissed. It was the voice of the man being tortured. It was Sevrus, "What ARE you doing?"
~~~~~~~
A/N: So?! I gave up on the previews...because, as you can tell, I rarely stick to what I'm going to say I'm going to do...Please review...thanks again to my beta! You rock! I hope to have the new chapter up soon...but I have SO much going on (I made the school musical...I got the lead!!!) so It may take a while (You see, I have at least 4 hours of practice a day, usually one in the morning and 3 after school...but the performance is February 26, and we're not quite ready...). I'll try and hurry! Please Review!
Oh Yes...My chapters get shorter and shorter, that was pointed out by my beta....all of my chapters are kinda short though...and I sometimes just cut them and upload them b/c I'm running out of time! My appologies....I think I spelled that wrong...don't you just love how I incorporated the pensieve? I have to give credit where credit is due. That was my playmer's idea. Playmer is my beta! Everyone thank playmer now! YaY!