-_~ Disclaimer ~_- Still don't own anything. And the previous threat holds up. I WILL make like a Bedouin and disappear into the desert if anyone tries to sue me.
-_~ Author's Note ~_-
Okay, I finished this completely sleep-deprived. It is NOT beta read yet, because I was trying to post it before I went away. I apologize for any mistakes.
Chapter 12
Christmas
The trouble with the future is that is usually arrives before we're ready for it.
~ Arnold H. Glasgow
There was a door to which I found no key: There was the veil through which I might not see.
~ Omar Khayyam
As a rock on the seashore he standeth firm, and the dashing of the waves disturbeth him not. He raiseth his head like a tower on a hill, and the arrows of fortune drop at his feet. In the instant of danger, the courage of his heart here, and scorn to fly.
~ Akhenaton, Egyptian pharoah
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Harry woke up late and insisted on leaving the hospital wing for breakfast. He argued with Madam Pomfrey until she gave in and huffed away, muttering about ungrateful students. He got dressed and touched the back of his head gingerly, but it felt fine. He grabbed his wand and shoved it into his robe before heading towards the Gryffindor common room. On the way there, he passed by Hagrid. The giant teacher was putting up massive evergreens in the Great Hall and stringing them with twinkling faerie lights. He waved Harry over.
Hagrid put down one of the huge trees and beamed warmly at him.
"Alrigh', Harry? I saw tha' nasty blow ya took ter the head yesterday. Quite the rotten cheater Malfoy continues to be," he said, his beetle black eyes narrowing with disgust. He rattled the tree to emphasize his point and pine needles showered the floor.
"I'm alright, Hagrid," Harry assured him.
"Good," Hagrid said with another wide grin. "But then I got another bone ta pick with ya. How come you and yer friends haven't been coming around ta see me as much?" he asked with a sly smile, but Harry knew he was being serious.
Harry immediately felt a pang of guilt. It was true. He had been so consumed by Quidditch and school lately. "I'm sorry, Hagrid. Quidditch and schoolwork having been a total nightmare. Time must be slipping by me."
Hagrid nodded. "I understan'. Being captain must be a lot a work. And gearing up fer yer N.E.W.T. midyear reports and all."
He shook his head. "No, no excuses for me. I'll come by tomorrow after dinner to make up," Harry promised.
Hagrid looked pleased, but the concern hadn't left his visage. "My class 'asn't been too much, 'as it?" he asked.
"Oh no, not at all," Harry said quickly, trying not to laugh at the idea. It was true. There wasn't much homework in Creatures. You just had to try and survive the class without getting attacked by a Graphorn or one of the equally vicious creatures that Hagrid loved.
The half-giant still looked downcast though. "I jus' hope that ya like my classes. I know Malfoy and those Slytherins o' his have plenty of comments."
"Of course we like your classes! They're, er, very exciting." If you don't get killed, Harry though silently. He quickly changed to another subject that he had been wondering about. "Hagrid, y'know, I've been talking to Cesare a lot recently," he started slowly.
"Have ya, then?" Hagrid had a funny expression on his face, like he was trying to conceal something. "Well, that doesn' come as much of a surprise, I guess," he said, but it seemed like he was talking to himself.
"It doesn't?" Harry inquired casually.
"No, I mean. It shouldn'. After all his ........." Hagrid suddenly stopped. "I shouldn't be telling ya this."
"Why not?" Harry asked, frustrated. "How come all the professors act that way around him? It's almost like the staff is hiding something."
"Harry, Harry. Really. This isn' yer concern." Hagrid looked very uncomfortable.
"Well then doesn't he deserve to know what is going on?"
Hagrid bent so that his face was close to Harry's and whispered. "He will, but its fer him to know. Not you."
"Ha! So there is something going on," Harry said triumphantly.
Hagrid rubbed his forehead in exasperation. "'Tis a complicated situation," he said darkly. "Sumpfin none of us expected." He picked up the tree and started to walk off, but Harry cut him off.
"Why didn't you expect it?" Harry quickly followed him down the hall, ducking to avoid the swinging branches of the gigantic tree.
He sighed, but met Harry's imploring gaze. "Yer not gonna give this up, are yeh?"
Harry shook his head and deftly hid his smile. How well Hagrid knew him. "Remember Nicolas Flamel?"
The groundskeeper rolled his eyes. "All I'll tell yeh is this." He glanced cautiously around the empty Great Hall. Only the painting could have listened in. "Yer fellow student Cesare isn't supposed to be alive."
Harry's mouth fell open and he goggled at Hagrid. Whatever he had been expecting, this definitely wasn't it. Cesare......was.......was supposed to be DEAD? That didn't make any sense. He couldn't comprehend what Hagrid was telling him. "Wait......WHAT?"
Hagrid looked grim, his eyes devoid of most of their usual warmth. Instead Hagrid had an expression on his face Harry normally didn't see: exhaustion, as if he'd been carrying the world and found the burden unbearable. Harry had seen that face on too many recently. Just take a glance at the expressions of any in the Order of the Phoenix.
"I can't tell yeh more, Harry. Not yet. It wouldn' be fair to those involved. Difficult situation, dunno how tis going ta work out." Even his voice sounded tired. "I mus' be gettin on with these trees now."
Although curiosity was nearly driving him mad, Harry nodded. He was surprised Hagrid had told him this much. It reflected how much his friend thought of him and trusted him. "I understand, Hagrid," he said.
Hagrid still looked concerned. "And you bes' be keeping this ta yerself. Ron and Hermione don't need ta know."
Harry nodded again, more solemnly.
"And another thing, Harry........" Hagrid paused and seemed to hesitate, unsure of how to proceed. "Jus'.......jus' watch yerself around Cesare."
He narrowed his eyes, confused. "What do you mean? Why?"
The half-giant sighed. "I know of that uncle o' his. Nasty git, I've heard. Anyone who's grown up with the likes of him mus' be affected."
Harry didn't like the sound of that and found himself echoing Cesare's words. "Just because his uncle is a nasty git, doesn't mean—,"
Hagrid interrupted him. "I'm not sayin' that. But blood can sometimes count. Look at the Malfoy's. The whole bunch of 'em are rotten. But--" he held up a hand to stop Harry's protest.
"Sometimes its not. Jus' look at you and the Dursley's. Nothin' alike." He said with a small smile. But his smile didn't conceal the worry in his eyes.
"Jus' be on yer guard, Harry."
Harry was confused and still didn't quite believe what he was hearing. "Hagrid. You're not saying........."
"I'm jus' saying be on your guard. Nothing more, nothing less." He looked at Harry with a pained expression on his face. It seemed like Hagrid was trying to protect him, but wasn't sure if he quite knew how.
"Okay, Hagrid," Harry nodded, trying to reassure his friend. Hagrid shook his head, muttering something and walked away.
Harry watched him walk away with a funny feeling in his stomach. Hagrid wouldn't warn him for nothing. He trusted Hagrid, while his friendship with Cesare was still in a fledgling state. And Cesare was definitely the type to arouse suspicion. He wore mystery like a cloak and that bothered Harry. Now this startling revelation. Cesare was supposed to be DEAD? What the bloody hell did that mean? Had Hagrid meant that Cesare had been thought to be dead or that he should be killed or something? The latter sounded a bit too ominous for his liking.
He started back towards the common room, still mulling over his thoughts. He started to piece together clues. Cesare was most definitely not a just an exchange student, randomly selected from a pool of thousands. He may never have been to Britain, but he had some roots here. That was clear. The staff knew more about him than they let on. And evidently they thought he had been dead until recently.
But why him? Why would they know of some Egyptian-Italian boy with unknown parents? Unless perhaps his parents were not so unknown to them.......
That surprise hypothesis hit him as he approached the portrait of the Fat Lady. Of course! Why hadn't he thought of it before! Cesare's father had gone to Hogwart's. He must have had some significance to some of the staff members, particularly Snape and Hagrid.
"Sniveling snovel," he muttered to the Fat Lady.
"Feeling better, Mr. Potter?" she asked with a benevolent smile.
"Much," he replied with a forced grin. The portrait swung open, revealing the Gryffindor common room. There was a cheerful fire crackling in the fireplace, but the spacious, richly adorned room seemed empty. The cozy armchairs and loveseats were devoid of any students. Or at least he thought.
He saw movement at of the corner of his eye on the sofa in front of the fire. He stepped closer. Suddenly two people quickly moved apart.
"Hermione?" he asked, recognizing the two students.
"Er, hullo, Harry," she stuttered. "How are you?" she asked quickly.
"I'm alright. Wha-- what were you doing?" he asked, confused. Hermione and Cesare had been sitting awfully close to one another........
Cesare flashed a quick smile at him. "I, ah, hexed her hair green, and she was hitting me in revenge. Quite viciously," he said shaking his head sadly and rubbing his arm.
Hermione's eyes widened slightly at his quick lie. "Right," she said with a nod.
Harry narrowed his eyes. "Your hair isn't green, Hermione."
"I fixed it," she lied and then took his arm and pulled him down on the sofa between herself and Cesare. Cesare didn't look happy about this seating arrangement, but Hermione ignored him.
"So Madam Pomfrey released you from your prison?" she teased.
"Yeah," he said, acknowledging the quick change of subject. He simply decided not to think about what he walked in on. He had enough turmoil going on in his mind. He realized it was hard to look Cesare in the eye. After all, it wasn't everyday you found out that the guy who sat next to you in Potions class was supposed to be dead.
"Are you all hungry?" Cesare asked, apparently unaware of what was going through Harry's mind. "I think I could go for some breakfast."
"Sounds good to me. I'll just change and be right down," Harry said, still dressed in his Quidditch robes from yesterday, He got up and went up the winding staircase.
When he was out of sight, Hermione breathed a huge sigh of relief. "That was close."
Che grinned at her. "You did say I am a good liar."
She rolled her eyes. "I just want to keep this our secret for awhile."
"I understand," he said. His eyes turned sad. "Does that mean we can't do this as much?" he asked and leaned in to kiss her.
Hermione pushed him away. "Yes," she said with mock indignation. He grabbed at his chest and fell back.
"Ah, how she wounds me," he said in a suffering voice.
Hermione tried not to laugh. "Control yourself, Che," she said lightly
"I am perfectly in control."
"You are a sixteen year old male. You have no control."
"I do too. Besides I'm seventeen anyway."
Hermione looked shocked. "Since when?"
He shrugged. "December 2nd."
"Why didn't you tell me it was your birthday," she demanded.
Cesare shuddered. "I don't do that "birthday" thing."
She shook her head. "You're weird. I would have liked to know it was your birthday. I could have at least said 'Happy Birthday' or something......"
"I forgive you," he said sarcastically and stroked the side of her face, enjoying watched her annoyed expression melt away. She tried to push his hand away. "Don't. He said he would be right down."
"What? Are you afraid of almost getting caught again?" he whispered in her ear as he pushed back her hair and slyly pulled her head closer and brushed his lips against her cheek.
"Cesare, please!" she argued, but couldn't bring herself to push him away. He knew exactly what to do to make her lose control.
"He's coming!" She jumped up right before Harry came down. "Hungry, Harry? Alright. Let's go!"
Harry gave Cesare a befuddled expression and pointed at Hermione. Che threw up his hands and mouthed. 'Girls.'
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After breakfast, the three of them had a humongous snowball fight that lasted for about two hours. It ended when Hermione bewitched piles of snow to hover over the boys, before burying them in huge, cold snowdrifts. They immediately surrendered and headed back inside the castle.
Harry passed by Professor Almari as he was heading back towards the common room, and she beckoned him into her office with a warm smile. She had quickly one of the favorite teachers at Hogwart's. Even the Slytherins had nothing bad to say about here. On the contrary, it seemed that after Professor Snape, Almari was the Slytherin favorite. Harry did not fail to see the irony that the two teachers best liked by Slytherin House were both former Death Eaters.
He had grown used to her Occlumency lessons. She was an excellent instructor and he was surprised at his rapid improvement. With the combination of Occlumency lessons and Lupin's amulet, Harry rarely had nightmares. (Although using Lupin's gift caused him a twinge of guilt every night.) Almari was easy to talk to and very informative. Harry found himself gaining an education in everything from magical beings to wizarding communities in Persia. All he had to do was remark how colorful the tapestry hanging over her desk was, and her eyes would light up in interest and she would be telling him all about it, shaking all her golden bangles as she emphasized a point by waving her hands in the air.
It seemed unbelievable that she had once served Lord Voldemort. She seemed the farthest thing from a Death Eater. Even as she sat in front of him now, pressing a mug of spicy chai into his hands, he couldn't understand it. Why had she supported Voldemort?
"You look perplexed, Harry," she noted. Regardless of how well he was getting at Occlumency, it was still hard to get anything by the jinn.
"Nope," he lied, hoping she wouldn't see right through him. "So what did you want to talk to me about?" he asked, quickly changing the subject.
Her dark eyes turned serious. "Harry, you must know how much progress you have made in Occlumency. It's incredible. I am amazed that you had such trouble with it last year."
Harry wasn't amazed. Last year, he hadn't been completely willing to let go of the connection he had with Voldemort. He had thought it USEFUL, a bitter thought that still stung. He had accomplished Occlumency this year out of the terror that Voldemort would try to hurt or kill another person he loved.
Almari continued. "I have spoken with the Headmaster and he agreed to a request of mine, which I will now bring up with you."
"Yes?" he asked curiously.
"You have shown great skill in Occlumency. Yet you cannot learn how to full defend yourself if you don't know the tactics used to attack the mind. After the holidays, I would like to begin training you in the basics of Legilimency."
His green eyes widened. Legilimency? He was going to learn how to break into the minds of others. He wasn't sure how he felt about that. On the other hand, he wanted to be as an accomplished Occlumens as possible.
"Okay," he agreed slowly.
She looked thoughtful. "There is only one snag. I would let you practice on me, but because I am a jinni, you would not be able to break into my mind unless I opened the connection. I'd say you might need the assistance of a trusted friend."
Harry was slightly taken aback by this. He didn't want to intrude on the privacy of any of his friends. Ron and Hermione's faces quickly came to his mind. He knew that either would be willing to help him, but didn't want to take advantage of their friendship.
He nodded again. "Okay, I'll find someone," he promised, feeling slightly guilty at the thought.
She looked kindly at him. "Legilimency is hard work, Harry. Even more difficult than Occlumency. This will not be easy."
"I understand, I don't expect it to be," he said. She smiled at him, and then looked out the window at the gently falling snow.
"It is very beautiful here. I never thought I would like the snow, but I must admit it is very lovely. I expect Hagrid will have decorated the Hall most wondrously. I have never celebrated Christmas, but I am looking forward to it."
Harry nodded. "Yeah, the Christmas feast is great. You'll enjoy it." He got up. "I should be going though."
Almari stood as well. "One more thing." She quickly crossed the room towards her massive, ornate bookshelves. She scanned the musty volumes, and then pulled out one particularly heavy book and thrust it into Harry's arms.
"Your friend Miss Granger was looking for this. Kindly give it to her," she requested.
The book was heavy enough to keep a manic Quaffle pinned to the ground. Hermione would want something like this, he thought sarcastically.
"Have a Happy Christmas, Harry," she said her eyes twinkling as he struggled at her door with the massive literary work.
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Meanwhile, Hermione and Cesare had gone to the Owlery. Cesare hadn't visited Mari in quite awhile and felt bad. The chocolate colored owl swooped down immediately when they entered. She landed on his outstretched forearm and sunk her claws in a little too deep.
"Hey! Arresti quello!" he scolded her in Italian. "I know I've been away, but that hurts."
She gave a little hoot of indignation and flew off. He shook his head.
"Temper, temper, but watch. She will come down in a few minutes."
"Sheh will comey don in a few menutes," she repeated coyly, with a teasing smile.
He raised a dark eyebrow. "Are you making fun of my accent?"
"Are a-you a-makin' fon o my akzent?" she mocked.
"I don't sound like that," he protested.
She smiled. "I don' zound like dat—." Hermione laughed at his annoyed expression. "I'm sorry, I couldn't help myself. Actually, you've improved dramatically since September," she added to reconcile.
He shuddered. "Warn me if I start to sound like an Englishman."
"Hey!" she hit his arm. "That's not very nice. I'm offended."
"Why? You're not an Englishman."
She rolled her eyes. "You know what I mean."
He wrapped his arms around her waist and pulled her closer to him. "I don't know what you mean, carina. Tutor me."
She smiled. "Okay," and leaned in to kiss him. He kissed her back.
The Owlery was quiet and still, with only the soft rustling of hundreds of wings. Unknown the couple below, a huge black horned owl turned a fiery red eye away with one last fierce glance downward. The bird lifted its huge wings slowly and took off through one of the open archways.
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When Harry met up with Hermione and Cesare again, it was close to dinner. They headed towards the Great Hall, where a Christmas Eve feast had been set up. There was only one long dining table, however; due to the fact that most students had elected to go home for the holidays this year. The Professors seemed to be seating on one side and the twenty or so students left sat on the other side.
Harry searched the table for three empty seats and his face fell when he realized that they would have to seat across Snape. He pulled Cesare aside and quickly whispered something. A grin spread across the Egyptian's face and then disappeared. Hermione got a suspicious feeling in her stomach.
"C'mon," Harry muttered and bravely took the seat across Snape. Snape gave him a small look of disgust before turning his attention back to Dumbledore, who had stood up.
"It seems we'll be a rather big empty school for a little while, so I thought we would just use one dining table," he said with a smile. "Now, enjoy!" he said and clapped his hands excitedly. The table filled with plates and platters of delicious food and students and staff alike eagerly filled their plates.
Hermione, Harry, and Cesare tried to eat fast and avoid Snape's glares. It was too much of an opportunity, however, to go to waste. Cesare gave a small wink to Harry and nodded his head towards Snape's goblet. Harry nodded slightly.
Harry made a motion to reach for his own goblet, but instead knocked over Snape's. The Potion Master's wine spilled all over the clean tablecloth.
"Professor, I'm so sorry! Here, let me get it," he said apologetically and reached for his wand to clean the spill with magic.
"Forget it, Potter," Snape said through clenched teeth. "You were probably trying to curse it anyway."
While Harry looked wide-eyed and innocent, Cesare took advantage of Snape's preoccupation to shoot gold sparks at his plate. Hermione looked at him fiercely and shook her head slightly. Cesare just shrugged, not bothering to appear apologetic.
Snape returned to eating and both Harry and Cesare found it hard not to keep looking at him to see if the spell would take effect. At the end of dinner, when Hermione had started to get up, Dumbledore looked curiously at Snape and commented. "Why, Severus. You look quite in the holiday spirit."
Harry, Cesare, and Hermione took this opportunity to leave as quickly as possible, sneaking out the doors while everyone's focus was on Snape.
Snape looked at the Headmaster in confusion. "What?"
The others at the table turned in his direction and tried not to laugh. Snape looked like he had been dipped in sparkly gold paint, and red and green twinkling lights covered his robes.
A furious expression filled his face with rage. "Potter and al-Jalil," he muttered. But they were long gone.
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The three had quickly returned to Gryffindor tower before they were caught. Harry and Cesare were in hysterics, but Hermione wore a severe expression on her face.
"He's going to know it was you two."
"Aw, c'mon, 'Mione," Harry laughed. "Did you get a good look at him? Any punishment is worth that."
Cesare nodded in agreement and slapped Harry's back. "Nicely played, if I do say so myself," he said in his best mock English accent.
They hung out in front of the fire, laughing and joking, for a few more hours before Hermione announced that she was going to bed. As they headed up their respective staircases, Hermione winked at Cesare. He smiled back at her, behind Harry's back, of course.
Hermione entered her empty dormitory room and changed into her pajamas. She brushed her teeth, while looking in the mirror at herself. She hardy recognized the pretty girl staring back at her. A small smile lit up her face. She felt some butterflies in her stomach. She finished brushing her teeth and went to the window and stared out at the Forbidden Forest.
Was she doing to right thing when it came to Cesare? She couldn't deny her feeling for him, but still was jittery at the thought of them going out. She didn't want to move to fast. Her uncertainty about Cesare hadn't left; there was a lot about him she still didn't know.
"Stop it, Hermione. Just let things happen as they will," she muttered to herself and went to bed.
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Harry woke early on Christmas due to a shrill, shrieking voice about three inches away from his ear.
"Harry Potter! Harry Potter! Happy Christmas, Harry Potter!!!!"
"Wha?" Harry said rubbing his eyes and reaching for his glasses. Once the glasses were in place he say who was causing all the noise.
"Hullo, Dobby," he said wearily. "Happy Christmas."
Cesare also woke up at Dobby's yelling. He jumped up and glared around the room. His harsh look fade when he glanced at the house-elf dressed in what appeared to be a small red toga with a bright green blinking hat. "Who are you?" he asked bewildered.
"This is Dobby. He's a friend," Harry said, making his way out of bed and across the room to a huge Christmas tree in the corner. The sun was streaming through the large window, filling the room with light and illuminating the stack of brightly wrapped gifts.
"Wow, look at all these presents," Harry said in awe. Cesare also got up.
"Probably mostly yours," he said with a shrug. Like Professor Almari, he had never celebrated Christmas before and was still unaccustomed to the holiday. Harry rolled his eyes and tossed some socks at Dobby.
"There you go, Dobby."
The elf's eyes started to water over. "Your generosity grows with every year, sir." He beamed at Harry as if he had never seen anything more beautiful.
"Er, yeah."
They were interrupted when the door swung open to reveal Hermione, with Crookshanks close at her heels. She was dressed in a bright red robe and her bushy hair (which she had bothered to magically straighten this early in the morning) was pulled back into a think ponytail. "Happy Christmas!" she greeted them.
"Thought you weren't supposed to be in here?" Cesare joked.
"Well, I'm glad you're so happy to see me," she replied sarcastically. "I'm not spending my Christmas morning in an empty room."
"Happy Christmas, 'Mione," Harry said with a smile. "Catch." He tossed a present her way. She caught in and eagerly unwrapped the present. "A History of House-elves," she read off the title of the heavy old book. Haha, very funny," she said with a smile.
"Just don't get started with that S.P.E.W. stuff again, please," he teased, before opening his own presents. He received a green knitted sweater with a lightning bolt from Mrs. Weasley, along with several food parcels. Ron had given him a large box of assorted Zonko's jokes and candy. Hermione gave him a framed picture of herself, Ron, and Harry laughing and hitting each other in front of the castle. Cesare had given him a book on Firebolts and Hagrid had sent his usual rock cakes. But there was one last gift. A very long rectangular box.
"What is it?" Cesare asked as Harry opened the mysterious gift. He was stunned by what he saw inside.
"Wow," Harry murmured quietly and pulled out the antique broomstick. In glittering gold script across the handle bore the rider's famous name: Josef Wronski.
"Wow," echoed Cesare. "Is that really his autograph?"
"I think so," said Harry. He reached for the letter that was in the box. It was very short and matter-of-fact, which didn't surprise him when he saw the signature.
Dear Harry,
Happy Christmas. Sirius and I bought the broom for your father while we were still in school. It belongs to you now. The papers of authenticity are included.
Remus Lupin
Harry felt the all familiar pain of guilt upon seeing Lupin's loopy signature. Harry had really been terrible to him last August. All because he had offered to take care of him. He desperately wished he could take back some of what he said to the werewolf. He didn't deserve this gift.
As the other Quidditch player, Cesare immediately grasped the significance of this broomstick's owner. He ran his hand over the smooth handle. "I can't believe HE actually rode this......"
Hermione looked confused. "Wait; is that the Wonky Faint guy?"
Harry looked at her like she had said something blasphemous. "Hermione, Josef Wronski was the best Seeker in the history of Quidditch," he said in a controlled tone.
She didn't look very impressed. "Oh, okay."
They continued to open their presents until they were covered in wrapping paper.
"Well, I think that's the last of them," Hermione said.
"No, wait. Here's one more. Well, actually, it's just an envelope. Maybe a card or something," Harry said pulling out an envelope from behind the tree. He looked at the name on it. "For you," he said to Cesare and tossed it in his direction
Cesare caught it easily and studied the outside of the envelope. "I think it's from my uncle," he said with a trace of uncertainty in his voice. "But he never sends me anything for Christmas," he mused. He tore open the envelope and quickly scanned the letter.
He let a long stream of what sounded like very angry Arabic and clutched the letter as if trying not to tear it into pieces.
Hermione and Harry exchanged confused glances.
"Er, Che. Back to English, mate."
Cesare was so angry he didn't trust himself to speak. Instinctively, he thrust the letter towards Harry, and then started pacing and muttering to himself.
Harry took one look at the swirling, indistinct and very incomprehensible figures written across the parchment in obsidian ink. There were as inscrutable as the hieroglyphics.
"Getting back to the whole English thing........."
"I don't know what he's playing at. I always stay at my school during the holidays. Now apparently there is some family emergency. He's full of shit! We have no other family member that could have an emergency!"
"Wait. He wants you to go back home?" Hermione asked, her alarm growing. She had never seen him this furious and he was actually a bit frightening in his rage.
Harry didn't look any happier. He had a feeling Cesare's home situation was even worse than his own. His uncle didn't sound like someone to cross and Harry had his suspicions about the origins on Cesare's bruises when school started.
"I'm not going," Cesare said defiantly. He had picked up a piece of wrapping and was methodically shredding it.
"I don't think you have much of a choice," Harry said with a concerned expression. "He enclosed your ticket for the Hogwarts Express after dinner. And I bet he had to get Dumbledore's permission for you to leave today."
Cesare looked trapped, an expression that was disturbing on his normally calm, collected face. "I can't go there."
Harry paused, unsure of what he was going to say. "Che. Those bruises in the beginning of the year. I'm sure if you told Dumbledore that .........."
"That what? What are you getting at Harry?" Cesare's eyes flashed angrily.
Harry didn't want to continue, but forced the words out. "If Dumbledore thought that your uncle hit you ........."
"HE DOESN'T! Please, don't start in on that again," Cesare complained, rubbing his head in exasperation.
"Che," Hermione tried to sound soothing. "We're just trying to help you." She took his arm gently.
"Forget it, Herm," he said, but with less rage this time. "Just forget it. I'll just go and get this over with," he said disgustedly. He shook her off gently. "I just need to go calm down," he muttered. "I'll see you later." He headed for the stairs.
"Cesare, wait!" Hermione said, but he kept walking.
"Let him go, 'Mione," Harry said quietly. "He's right. He needs to calm down."
The worry didn't leave Hermione's eyes. "Do you think he'll be okay at his uncle's?" she asked.
Harry tried to sound more confident than he was. "Yeah. I'm sure he's been around his uncle a long time and knows how to handle himself."
"So you don't think anything bad will happen to him?" There was a hint of desperation in her worried brown eyes.
"Hermione, he'll be fine. C'mon, Miss Rational." He tried to smile, but couldn't help the uneasiness in the pit of his stomach.
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They didn't see Cesare again until dinner. He seemed much better and actually looked like he'd been having the time of his life. He eagerly sat down next to them.
Harry gave him a dubious look. "You certainly seem happier," he remarked.
"Yeah," he said. "Just walked around." That was a lie. What Cesare had actually done to calm down had been to try out his illegal Animagus form in the Forbidden Forest. But he wasn't telling anybody that little piece of information. He had a feeling it would lead to a lecture from Hermione and perhaps even detention.
Dumbledore clapped his hands and stood up at the head of the table.
"A Happy Christmas to everyone," he said with a huge grin. "As an extra treat to our foreign students, I planned for a little more.....exotic feast than usual." His blue eyes twinkled. He took his wand out and waved in over the table, sending a fountain of Christmas crackers all over the table.
"Enjoy!"
The table filled with even more food than the previous night. Harry helped himself to a cracker and opened it. A small explosion revealed a Quick-Notes quill.
"Wow! Now I don't have to take notes!" he cried happily
Cesare smiled, his trip to Italy pushed to the back of his mind as the usual Hogwart's food was joined with platters from around the world. He spotted several Mediterranean and Middle Eastern dishes besides puddings and treacle tart. He nearly knocked Professor Almari's arm out of the way when they both reached for the same thing.
He ate ravenously and tried to get Hermione and Harry to try the food he had grown up with. Even they admitted most of it was good, but wouldn't touch the stuffed artichokes.
"It looks like a merperson's head," Hermione shuddered.
Cesare wasn't eager to see the feast end; knowing where he would be headed after. The small happiness he had felt started to fade as the hours ticked by.
He, Hermione, and Harry were among the last to leave the table. McGonagall came up to the trio.
"Mr. al-Jalil, I trust you have received your letter?"
"Yes, Professor," he said with dismay.
"Good. You are to catch the train at the station in Hogsmeade. We will provide a carriage for you to take there."
Hermione spoke up with a pleading tone in her voice. "Professor, can we go down to the station with him? Please?"
McGonagall shrugged. "It shouldn't be a problem. The carriage has to return here anyway. But," her voice turned stern. "Just to the station. No wandering around and come straight back in the castle when you arrive back."
Hermione was so surprised she gave them permission and merely nodded in agreement.
McGonagall walked off and Cesare picked up the small bag that he had brought to dinner. Halfway to the doors, Harry stopped dead in his tracks and smacked his forehead.
"Damn! I'm so sorry. I forgot I told Hagrid that I would visit him after dinner. I can't go with you to the station," he said apologetically.
"It's alright. Go," Cesare said. "Have a good break, Harry."
"You too, Che." Harry had a bad feeling in his gut about this trip. "Take care of yourself."
Cesare forced a laugh. "It's just a few days, no?"
Harry nodded. "I'll see you soon then."
Cesare and Hermione pulled on their clocks before heading outside towards the carriage. The ride to the station was quiet. Cesare had a stoic expression set on his dark face and wasn't responding to attempts at conversation. He did, however; hold Hermione's hand tight when they got off the carriage.
Their feet crunched over the new fallen snow. The platform was deathly quiet, not a soul in sight. Everyone else was tucked away in warm homes celebrating the holidays. Dark blackness closed in around them.
The train hadn't arrived yet and Hermione wrapped her arm around Cesare's waist, pulling him closer.
"Cold?" he asked, absentmindedly running his fingers through her hair.
"A little," she murmured. "Che, are you going to be okay there?"
He started to say something bitter, but saw the sincere concern in her eyes. It touched a nerve in him, something he wasn't used to at all. He didn't say anything sarcastic. Instead, he lied. "Yeah, I was just overreacting before. Maybe some distant family in Egypt is sick or something."
Hermione tried to believe him, but she was too smart and knew he was just trying not to worry her. "Write if anything gets out of hand, okay?"
"Okay."
The train's blurry lights were visible in the distance. Cesare swung his bag over his shoulder, but Hermione held his arm tight.
"My, my. You get attached quite quickly. Your last boyfriend worry you much, no?" he teased gently.
"No, I didn't worry over him," Hermione replied, staring into Cesare's eyes, as if searching for reassurance that everything was going to be alright.
Cesare met her eyes and felt something stir deep inside his chest. A feeling that was out of place in his life. Not that he wasn't used to a girl's attention. But Hermione was different. He felt a strong urge to protect her. The fact that she was worried about him made him feel horribly guilty.
"Don't worry about me," he repeated his thoughts softly. Then his grin returned. "I can't lose my tough image by having pretty girls worried about me."
Hermione laughed. "Just beat up Malfoy again and the Slytherins will go back to spreading rumors about how you're an ex-convict."
The train's whistle sounded loud and deep as it came to a slow, grumbling stop. Cesare glanced up as the scarlet door flew open.
"Time to go," he said, trying to sound more casual and carefree than he felt. This entire trip filled him with foreboding.
Hermione flung her arms around his neck, and he staggered back, surprised. He held her tight and kissed her. Then he slowly released her.
"Ashufik ba'dayn," he promised.
Hermione shook her head, knowing he was trying to make her smile. "You know it drives me mad when I can't understand what you're saying," she said.
"I'll see you later," he translated. "Because I will. Only a few days." Ignoring the words and feelings he really wanted to express. "Bye," he added quickly and got on the train, without another glance back.
He put his bag on the empty sit next to him. The train was quiet and still, except for the sound of the whirring engine. He leaned back against his comfortable seat and closed his eyes. He tried to will out any part of him that had grown accustomed to the friendliness of Hogwarts. That wouldn't help him at home. Vincenzo would rip him apart if he showed any "weakness."
He couldn't help the curiosity that he felt, however. First Malfoy's strange warning and now a "family emergency?" Why did his uncle want him home so badly? It didn't make sense. Cesare tried to ignore the sense of danger he felt. He was reading too much into this. Vincenzo probably just wanted to dole out some belated, but personal punishment for getting into Gryffindor and beating up Malfoy. Nothing unusual.
He had no idea how VERY wrong he was, or what, or better yet, WHO lay in wait for him in Italy. If he had realized what he was setting into motion, or could have seen into the future, he would have NEVER set foot on that train.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
-_~ Author's Note ~_-
Okay, wow, this was long, lol. My longest chapter yet and I got it up in record time. As I said before, this is NOT beta read and expect there might be a few mistakes. Yet I wanted to write as much as a could before I go away. I really, really want to get the next chapter up! Torture, secrets revealed, all that good stuff. And no romance, finally, lol.
If the quotes in the beginning made no sense to you, don't worry. You might get it after the next chapter, but I you still don't understand, just ignore them.
Oh here's the big secret revealed........Cesare's father is really.......PETER PETTIGREW!
Okay, he's really not. I'm just sleep-deprived and trying to confuse you. My deepest apologies. Anyway, guess what? You want the next, nice fat chapter before my long, EXTENDED holiday? Then review! Please! It will give me incentive to write and not sleep.
Huge thanks to my reviewers! Shukran!
T.H.W
Liz
Barbara Kennedy
Nunki
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