Author's note; Please do not be offended by any of the language used during this chapter, it was necessary for the plot but I found it difficult to write (as I could not bring myself to use too harsh a language). I do not agree with racism and am sickened by extreme nationalism, so please read it in the context that it was written, thank you.
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Chapter 27 Plans and Hopes
Harry woke, un-refreshed from his sleep. His mind was too busy to let him relax, his fears threatened to drown him. A long bath in the prefect's bathroom helped to calm him and he looked almost normal when he went to breakfast. He arrived later than the other two and saw the grim looks on their faces. The post had already arrived and he knew that something bad had been reported, again.
"What is it this time?" Harry slumped down on the bench.
"Another muggle riot," Hermione said. "In France this time, the French farmers put up a road block to prevent the British farmers from importing their stock."
"Well, they do that every couple of years, that's not so bad," Harry responded.
"This time, they started fighting and one of the British farmers pulled out 'an unknown weapon' and killed some of the French farmers." Hermione told him, "The Daily Prophet thinks he used a wand, in full view of all those muggles."
"This is connected to the Restoration Party somehow, isn't it?"
"We think so," Hermione sighed.
"This is getting out of hand, Voldemort is controlling the muggles and they have no chance of defending against him," Harry raged at no one in particular.
They ate the rest of their breakfast in silence and Harry left for his lesson with Dumbledore. He didn't have long to wait, the headmaster arrived a few seconds later.
"Good morning Harry," Dumbledore greeted him. "You look pensive today."
"Did you see the Daily Prophet?" Harry asked. "He's corrupting the world."
"I know," Dumbledore replied. "But after our last attempt to interfere in muggle politics, the Ministry is reluctant to get involved."
"So we just sit back and let Voldemort help them to destroy themselves?"
"Harry, Voldemort is not creating new rifts between the muggles, he is merely reinforcing ones that are already there," Dumbledore said sadly. "They have as much right to freedom of ideals as we have."
"Yes, but they're not free at the moment are they?"
"Not entirely," Dumbledore sat on one of the empty chairs. "I know how frustrated you are; I felt the same way fifty years ago. But in the end, the muggles overcame their troubles and found a way to be tolerant again. The same will happen this time, once Voldemort's influence can be removed."
"Are you so sure?" Harry replied. "If they got over it, then how can Voldemort manipulate them with it?"
"Hate is a powerful weapon, Harry," Dumbledore sighed.
Harry's mind searched for a solution, but none seemed to come. What was the use of having so much power, when he couldn't use it to help, Harry asked himself.
The conversation had fizzled out and the lesson began. Harry was gaining the much needed control over his magic; his focus and determination were paying off. He could use the Elements without falling prey to the emotions they brought with them. And even in his present state of anger and frustration, he didn't fall into the trap of channelling that anger.
Even as he focused his attention on the lesson at hand, Harry found himself wondering if he could somehow break the influence that Voldemort was using on the unsuspecting Muggles. No new ideas presented themselves and Harry finished his lesson and made his way to the next class.
That entire day Harry's mind sorted through possibilities, yet he dismissed each one in the end. Half way through dinner an idea, so simple he couldn't believe he hadn't thought of it earlier, burst into his mind. But even as he thought about it, his mind rejected it; it couldn't possibly work, could it? He went on arguing silently for several minutes then suddenly became aware of a silent lull in the Great Hall.
Harry looked up and saw, to his embarrassment, that all eyes were directed at him. Ron leaned across the table and muttered, "Are you feeling alright mate?"
"Yes, why is everyone looking at me?" Harry muttered back.
"Because, you just yelled 'YES!' at the top of your voice," Ron explained.
Gradually the noise returned to the Great Hall and when Harry dared a look around, he saw that the other student had decided nothing strange was going to happen and had returned to eating. Dumbledore however, was watching Harry, speculatively. Harry avoided his eyes and ducked his head down. Now that he had an idea, he didn't want Dumbledore to guess and try to stop him.
After muttering to Ron, "Cover for me tonight, will you?" Harry excused himself from the table, and left the Great Hall. Heading directly for the kitchens, he found Dobby and after a few moments, managed to drag the elf to a quiet corner.
"I need your help Dobby, it's very important," Harry said quietly.
"Dobby is always honoured to help Harry Potter," Dobby puffed his chest out, importantly.
"You must keep it a secret though," Harry said, "I could get into real trouble if anyone finds out what I am going to do."
"Dobby can keep a secret, Harry Potter."
"I know, that's why I'm asking you," Harry leaned closer, "I need to leave Hogwarts tonight, can you take me?"
"But Hogwarts is safe for you, if you leave, you could be in grave danger," Dobby replied. "Mr Dumbledore told Dobby this."
"I promise, I am not going to be in danger," Harry replied, honestly, "But it's against the rules."
"When do you wish to leave?" Dobby asked.
"Now," Harry replied. "I need to go to London; there is an office in Edgware that I have to visit."
"Mr Lupin goes to an office in Edgware; do you wish to visit him?"
Harry nodded.
"Then I will take you," Dobby held out his hands.
"Just a sec," Harry muttered the disillusionment charm, and then reached out to hold Dobby's hands.
There was a loud Crack, and Harry felt the hairs on his head bristle with electricity. When he opened his eyes, he was standing inside a room where Moony stood with his mouth open in surprise.
"What on earth are you doing here Dobby?" Moony asked the elf.
"He brought me, Moony, because I asked him to," Harry replied, then turning to Dobby he said, "Can you come back for me in an hour?"
"Yes Harry Potter, Dobby will be here." There was another loud crack as Dobby disappeared again.
"Migizi, what are you doing here? What has happened? Does Dumbledore know you left the school?" Moony frowned in the general direction of Harry, as he fired the questions at him.
"Calm down, Moony," Harry replied. "I'm here to help, nothing has happened, unless you count the farmers thing and no, Dumbledore doesn't know that I'm out of school."
"What sort of help" Moony asked warily.
"Well, if it works, then I'll tell you," Harry replied. "Is there a meeting tonight?"
Moony nodded.
"Then I would like to be there," Harry replied, walking to the door.
Moony heard the footsteps and said, "Wait, can't you at least tell me what you plan to do?"
"You had better stop talking to me, or else the muggles will think you've gone daft," Harry opened the door and turned to catch the look of frustration on Moony's face, as he made to follow.
The office opened out to a long grey corridor which in turn led to a large warehouse type room. Hundreds of Muggles stood about talking loudly, laughing and joking. There were posters stuck to the walls, images of people from different ethnic backgrounds. On all the posters words had been printed in bold red.
"STOP THE INFILTRATION. PROTECT BRITISTH PURITY. JOIN THE
RESTORATION PARTY. FIGHT FOR YOUR RIGHTS."
Harry shuddered at the messages, it was clear that these posters were aimed at increasing racial tensions. It had to be stopped, before muggle Britain found itself embroiled in race riots and gang wars.
A speaker had stepped up to a podium on a raised platform; Harry was shocked to see Moony take his place at the man's right side. The man tapped on the microphone and the group fell into silent ranks.
"Right, first off, congratulations to all those who took part in the French demonstration; you all did a good job, taught those Frenchies a lesson – they have no right to play games with our economy!" Cheers and anti French slogans were called from the ranks.
"Now our next order of business is in Finsbury Park – certain individuals there seem to want to transform our country into their own!" More jeering and whistling followed.
"They plan to open a school! Just for their kind, so they can teach them to hate us and try and take over our country! Will we allow that?" a loud chorus of 'NO!' followed.
"Bloody right we won't, this is our home and we will not let them push us aside!"
Harry stood at the back of the room and watched in revulsion as these men jeered and whistled at the thought of destroying a school, just because the children that went there were different. Could he really convince them that they were wrong? Was it already too late? He sat on the floor and took a deep breath, concentrating on fire; he felt its pull almost immediately. There was so much hatred in the room that it swamped into his mind.
Slowly he drew the hatred into himself and pushed it down as it threatened to overwhelm him. Then focusing his energy he let the hatred burn out and love build up, he imagined his friends and his family and let the love he felt for them grow in his body. Slowly and finally he pushed the love back out of himself and into the room of angry strangers. He concentrated on one single word, "Why?" and sent that word around the room like a wave of heat from a fire.
Slowly opening his eyes, Harry looked at the men, had it worked? Would they begin to question the hatred? He looked desperate for some sign, holding his breath.
The speaker stood forward and said, "We must be strong and loud in our defence against these people."
Harry held his breath and waited for the crowds response, the speaker looked around, confused as to their silence, then one voice broke through and shouted, "Why?"
"Why?" The speaker repeated. "Why what?" Chaos erupted.
"Why do we have to be strong against them?"
"Why can't we be strong with them?"
"Why do we want to fight?"
"Why are we here?"
"Why are we angry?"
"Why should we listen to you?"
Harry released his breath as one after another the men in the room started to question the speaker. They had been released from whatever hold he had over them and Harry prayed that they would not simply return after a few days and carry on as though nothing had changed. Standing silently, Harry edged towards the door and slipped out; he made his way back to the office and found Dobby waiting for him.
The door burst open again and Moony ran in, "Harry," he whispered furiously, "Harry are you still here?" spotting Dobby's large ears poking up from behind the desk, Moony asked, "Dobby, did Harry come back?"
"I'm here Moony, are you alright?" Harry asked.
"I'm fine and so are most of the men down there." Moony grinned, "Some of the damage that has been done by the wizards, has been removed, great job!"
"It didn't work on all of them though; the speaker still seems the same."
"Yes, but it wasn't the power of suggestion working on him in the first place," Moony said, "Disgusting as it may sound, those are actually his opinions."
"I should go, write and tell me what happens, I want to know if it lasts," Harry gave Moony a quick hug, "Call it the birthday party, when you write, I'll know what you mean."
"You know its kind of weird hugging someone you can't see," Moony laughed. "I'll write to you next week, now go."
Harry took Dobby's hands and with a crack they returned to Hogwarts. Thanking Dobby, Harry raced out of the kitchens and back to the common room, just outside the door he cast off the disillusionment charm and went inside.
Ron and Hermione were waiting for him anxiously, in their seats next to the fire.
"You've been rumbled mate, where did you go?" Ron informed him.
"How?" Harry asked.
"Professor McGonagall came in about thirty minutes ago and asked where you were, she said to send you straight to the headmaster when you returned," Hermione said.
"We told her that you'd just gone for a walk and would be back soon, but she wouldn't buy it."
"I suppose I'd better go then," Harry turned to leave.
"Wait, where were you anyway?" Ron was curious to know.
"I went to visit Moony for a while," Harry replied and then left them staring after him.
"Come in Harry," Dumbledore called through the closed door. With a sigh, Harry pushed his way into the room and braced himself for his telling off.
"Where exactly have you been?" Dumbledore pierced him with a steady stare.
"I went out for a walk," Harry replied.
"You must have walked a great distance because my wand call didn't find you," Dumbledore replied.
"Actually, I didn't walk too far," Harry said.
"Harry, enough of this, where were you. We have been worried about you," Dumbledore said, "You left the school grounds without my permission."
"I had something to do, I'm sorry if you were worried," Harry replied honestly, he hadn't meant for Dumbledore to worry.
"Of course I was worried," then his eyes hardened as he asked, "What have you done, Harry?"
Harry felt the cold fingers touch his mind and he pushed them back, "Stay out of my head! I've had enough unwanted visitors in my mind, to last me a lifetime."
Dumbledore smiled vaguely, "I apologize, but it was worth a try. Will you tell me where you have been?"
"I suppose you'll find out eventually," Harry sighed, "I went to a meeting of the Restoration Party, no one saw me."
"Harry," Dumbledore's voice held a warning note. "I have told you that we should not interfere."
"I didn't do anything to them, I just…." Harry paused, knowing Dumbledore was going to be angry, "I just help to break the through the brain washing."
"With what, you know it's wrong to try and force them to go against their natural impulses, you could cause serious damage," Dumbledore replied.
"I just planted a different suggestion, I didn't try to force them to love every one or anything," Harry said quietly.
"What suggestion did you plant?"
"Why?" Harry replied.
"Because we may need to send someone to undo it," Dumbledore replied.
"No, I mean that was the suggestion. Why?" Harry explained.
A slow smile broke through Dumbledore's worried expression. "You told them to ask why," Dumbledore looked at Harry, "That is brilliant, did it work?"
"While I was there it seemed to be working, but I don't know if it will last," Harry said. Then he sat down in front of the headmaster and told him the complete story, even that some of the party had been unchanged.
"Well, we must keep a close eye on them for the next few weeks," Dumbledore smiled, "you may have succeeded, where the Ministry has so far failed."
"Does that mean I'm not in trouble," Harry asked hopefully.
"No Mr Potter, it does not," Dumbledore frowned again, but his eyes were still smiling, "you will serve detention every night this week with Professor McGonagall; she will expect you at six o'clock sharp tomorrow."
Harry sighed as he got to his feet and bid the headmaster goodnight. Detention with McGonagall, well at least Dumbledore wasn't too angry. And so Harry suffered seven nights of writing Transfigurations essays, over and above the ones he got during class time. But his letter from Moony made it all worth while, the London Branch of the Restoration Party had been disbanded and the few die hard followers that were left went to join the Manchester branch. Moony included.
Mid May brought the Quidditch finals, Gryffindor versus Ravenclaw. The Gryffindor were ahead one hundred points in the cup, so barring a white wash by the Ravenclaws, they were a pretty safe bet for winning the cup. Ron was so excited, the thought of winning the cup on his final year as Captain, and without losing a single point to any of the other teams, was making him hyper-active.
"We have to keep up our perfect score and we will be in the record books!" Ron told them as they waited to be called onto the field. "Ravenclaw already beat Hufflepuff this year so we can't afford to let our guard down. Harry is your broom alright."
"Ron, stop panicking. Its fine, I already told you, and I'm fine - no one has drugged me for ages," Harry almost shouted at his friend. The rest of the team laughed and then Dean Thomas announced the Gryffindor team's names and they made their way out onto the field.
They took to the skies and the game began. Harry watched the rest of his team below and smiled at how well they all worked together, it would be a shame that he couldn't play next year. But in all honesty, quidditch while still the best sport in the world but it didn't challenge him so much anymore. He found his broomstick restrictive now.
The crowd roared as Ron saved the first attempt by the Ravenclaw chaser. Ginny grabbed the opportunity and took the quaffle right to the other goal; it soared passed the Ravenclaw keeper and straight through the centre hoop.
'10 – 0 to Gryfindor, nice goal Ginny!' Dean announced.
Harry keep looking for the snitch and watching the Ravenclaw seeker from the corner of his eye. Seamus scored another for Gryffindor and the crowd was roaring. Ron saved two successive goals, encouraging the Gryffindors to break into a chorus of 'Weasley is our king,' the game was going well, ten minutes in and the score was Gryffindor 30- Ravenclaw 0, as Ginny scored again.
Harry spotted a flick of gold down to his right and charged towards the snitch, the Ravenclaw seeker saw Harry's dive and followed but he was closer to the snitch. Flattening himself along his broom stick, Harry race to overtake the Ravenclaw boy, seven inches from the round Harry caught it and pulled up quickly before he crashed into the ground. The Crowd was screaming in approval, Dean yelled over the noise.
"Gryffindor 180 points Ravenclaw 0. For the first time for twenty years the Gryffindor have held the house cup with a white wash. The amazing skills of Ronald Weasley, the Gryffindors have not conceded a single goal this season!"
The rest of his announcement was drowned out as Harry landed with the rest of the team and he and Ron were hoisted up on the shoulders of two burly sixth years, and carried up to the school in triumph. They were halted in the Entrance Hall by Dumbledore and a tall man with short grey hair and an orange robe.
"Congratulations Gryffindor, a splendid game," Dumbledore said. "But I need to borrow your champions for a few moments, I promise to return them as soon as possible."
Harry and Ron were lowered to the ground and they followed Dumbledore and the stranger to a small room adjacent to the Great Hall.
"I would like to introduce Mr Huntly, he is the talent scout for the Chudley Cannons." Dumbledore indicated to the tall man at his side and Ron stood staring in awe. Harry nudged his friend as he offered the man his hand. "Nice to meet you sir." Ron nodded in agreement and held out his hand.
"Well, I must say I enjoyed your match immensely and I find myself in the position to offer you both a trail for the Chudley Cannons, once you graduate of course."
Ron's mouth was still opening and closing like a fish, so Harry said, "Thank you, Sir."
"Well I'm sure you want to celebrate your win, so I won't keep you, Professor Dumbledore has supplied me with your names and addresses and I will send you an appointment during the summer to come and try out, if you're interested."
"Thank you, we are," Harry replied. Griping Ron's arm firmly he said, "well, we'll hear from you soon, thanks again." he led his stunned friend out into the Entrance Hall and suddenly Ron came to life.
"Oh Merlin, Harry! Did you hear that? The Chudley Cannon's, on my God!" Ron was dancing on the spot. "Oh yeah, I might be going to the Chudley Cannons, Harry did you hear him mate?"
"Yes Ron I heard, come on, you should tell Hermione," Harry dragged him up the stairs.
"But Harry, I've dreamed of this since I was a kid. Me, a professional quidditch player…."
As they went into Gryffindor tower, the cheers erupted and they were congratulated again. Hermone pushed her way through the crowd and said, "Is anything wrong? Who was that man?"
Ron picked her up and twirled her round and round laughing, singing at the top of his voice, "We're going to be professional quidditch players!"
This brought a renewed round of congratulations and the noisy party went on for the next few hours, breaking up when they all went down to dinner.