Author's Random Ramblings: Sorry this chapter took so long to get posted.
I had it finished a week ago but delayed on sending it to my beta, so
thanks Steph for doing this on such short notice. Since this chapter is
like the twice the length of my others, despite the fact very little
happens (I think) I'm not going to post next week. This is also partly due
to my realizing I'm only on chapter eight in my notebook although it feels
like the notebook is eons ahead. Since it takes so much work to translate
my handwriting into something legible, send it to a beta, and then
proofread it again myself, I'm going to spend almost all of next weekend
(and any time I get in between) writing.
Chapter 6
"Hermione!" gasped Harry what are you doing here?"
Hermione looked down nervously, "I'm sorry, Harry, I was worried about you so I waited outside Dumbledore's office."
Harry stared at her with disbelief, "You followed me here? What the hell did you think you were doing?"
Hermione blushed, "I was worried about you! We all were, especially after you were taken away by the Ministry and all that, please Harry, don't be angry!"
"Why didn't you take off the invisibility cloak?" demanded Harry furiously, "I didn't even know you were here!"
"I was going to," said Hermione quietly, "Until Draco Malfoy showed up. Why were you snogging Malfoy? Why was Malfoy even here in the first place?"
"It's none of your business, Hermione!" snarled Harry angrily, "Just leave me alone, will you?"
Hermione frowned, "Yes Harry, it is. These past couple of weeks you've practically ignored everyone's existence! Your as snappy as hell and have been unaccountably rude every time we so much as talk to you!"
Harry sighed, "You wouldn't understand even if I told you." Hermione suddenly slapped Harry across the cheek, Harry's eyes snapped up in surprise.
"Of course we don't understand right now, but have you ever wondered why that's the case?" asked Hermione scathingly, "It's because you won't tell us anything. You've been holed up with Malfoy for the past two weeks and, sometimes, you don't even talk to Ron! We're your best friends, enlighten us on what the hell is going on!"
"Do you believe in fate, Hermione?" asked Harry hollowly, "That sometimes two people were just meant to be together?"
Hermione smiled dryly, "I do believe in fate but I highly doubt you and Malfoy were meant for each other."
Harry smiled humorlessly, "He has a first name you know, and I don't just think Draco and I are meant to be together, I know we are. Don't you see Hermione, every time I look at him; my body goes tight in some very interesting places. Everything he says or does, I have an extreme reaction to. I love him, I don't know why or even how I could love him, but I do!"
Hermione stared for a moment, "Explain."
Quickly, as if pouring out all his emotions, Harry told her everything that had been happening in the past month. When he was finished, the room was completely silent.
"Are you angry at me?" asked Harry cautiously.
Hermione sighed, "No Harry, not angry, I want to be. I don't think you can ever understand how much I want to just slap Malfoy in the face right now and tell him to leave you alone, but I can't. It's not your fault that you like him and it's not his fault either."
"I'm sorry Hermione," whispered Harry softly.
"Don't be," she replied shortly. The silence between them stretched had become almost unbearable until finally, Hermione managed to say in an amused voice, "I can't believe this! Hogwarts' two most eligible bachelors have fallen for each other!"
"What do you mean?" asked Harry in a confused, but relieved, voice.
Hermione just stared at him. "You really don't know, do you, Harry?" asked Hermione wonderingly.
Harry's frown was genuinely puzzled, "What don't I know?"
Hermione sighed unhappily, "I can't believe it; you really have no idea what affect you and Draco have on girls! I mean, you and Draco are the most popular boys in the entire school! Just ask Parvati or Lavender or any girl for that matter! Girls would kill for a date with either of you! I mean come on; you are Harry Potter, the hero who saved the entire wizarding world from destruction. Even if you were ugly or excessively vain, girls would still like you. But you are not, Harry. You are nice, caring, funny, and so heartbreakingly charming! Then there is Draco Malfoy. Despite all that arrogance, even I have to admit he is drop dead gorgeous! Draco, the beautiful ice prince, Hogwart's cover boy. Every girl in the entire school would forgive every bad thing he's ever done if he so much as looks their way! The problem is, he doesn't care and you just don't notice! Neither of you have ever been truly interested in girls at all!"
Harry was silent for a moment. Finally, he asked in a small voice, "What about you, Hermione? Are you only my friend because I'm famous?"
Hermione snorted with disgust, "Don't be silly Harry. You know I'm not like that. I might have been first attracted to you because of your fame and because what I had read about you intrigued me, but, well, I care about you because you are a friend, Harry."
"Harry smiled weakly, "I'm glad you are here with me, Hermione, you always seem to know exactly what to do."
Hermione frowned, a worried look on her face, "I don't know Harry. This time, you might have dug yourself a hole even I can't help you out of. I mean, first off, what do we tell Ron?"
"Why do we have to tell him anything?" asked Harry defensively.
Hermione sighed, "Do you actually think you can hide things from Ron forever. He's your best friend! He deserves to know, probably more than I do."
"I don't know anymore, Hermione," whispered Harry in a heart broken voice, "I don't think I understand anything anymore. It's not just Draco, it's also the Death Eater I killed."
"Don't blame yourself for the past," said Hermione sadly, "There is nothing any of us can do to change it." Hermione paused and then continued; "I suggest that you go talk to Draco when you both cool down a bit. In the mean time, go talk to Professor Phoebus, or Apollo, or whatever you want to call him! Even if he isn't a necromancer, he might be able to teach you the basics so an accident like the one you had in Diagon Alley will not happen again. You'd also better tell Ron what's going on. You know he'll just be mad at you when he does manage to figure it out by himself."
"Alright," agreed Harry, "Now, if you'll excuse me?"
***
Harry pondered Hermione's words as he slowly made his way to the teachers' wing and towards Professor Phoebus' office. Harry hated to admit it, but Hermione had been right about Ron. He just didn't think he had the guts to fess up. Hesitatingly, Harry knocked softly on Professor Phoebus' door. The door immediately swung open and he was admitted into a windowless room with a huge, backwards L-shaped oak desk and a line of bookshelves running across two walls of the room. Brightly painted murals in the old Greco- Roman style covered the rest of the walls and a huge carpet depicting the twins Artemis and Apollo was thrown across the cold stone floor. Huge candlesticks provided a warm glow to the whole scene.
"How may I help you?" asked Professor Phoebus curiously as Harry nervously took a seat in one of the armchairs across from the desk, "I was making lesson plans for the start of term, but I was planning to take a break anyways. Would you like a cup of tea?"
"Please," replied Harry thankfully as he reached out for the proffered teacup, "Professor, I came to apologize for my rude behavior earlier today, I hope you can forgive me."
"Of course Harry," said Professor Phoebus with an absent wave of his hand, "It is nothing. Now, what can I do for you?"
"Well," began Harry uncomfortably, "I was wondering whether you could help me with, well, you know, my necromancy."
Professor Phoebus sighed, "I, myself, am not a necromancer and therein lies the problem. You are my Heir, Harry, and I will try to do the best I can for you, but realize that necromancy is not my line of work, nor do I have any talent for it. Professor Dumbledore and I are trying to find another necromancer to take you under his wing. However, there are only two left in the world. One is my uncle, Hades, formerly known as the Ruler of the Underworld. He has already declined to help you. The other is Osiris, one of only three survivors of the entire Egyptian pantheon. We cannot find him although we are trying are best to locate him. Even now, we have Order of the Phoenix members across the world looking for him. I, myself, can seal the power within you, and teach you to control it if it ever acts up again so no human life is lost, but I cannot teach you finer skills like how to penetrate the Shadowed Veil, or how to converse with spirits who did not remain as ghosts, or even how to use that power to kill in battle. When you killed the Death Eater, it was spontaneous magic and the chances of us replicating that are highly unlikely. I will teach you what I can, but what if something goes wrong and I cannot stop it?"
Harry frowned and pondered that idea for a moment. Finally, he replied, "I understand what you are saying, Professor. However it's a risk we must take. If I do not learn at least how to keep the power from going wild, then I would be a danger to those in Hogwarts. How long will these lessons take me?"
Professor Phoebus smiled, "Not long, school starts in two and a half days, meet me tomorrow morning after breakfast down in the potions dungeon. I'm sure I can persuade Professor Snape to give up his work space for a day or so."
Harry nodded, "That'll be fine. Thank you Professor."
"I'm glad I could help," replied Professor Phoebus smoothly, "See you tomorrow Harry." Harry accepted his dismissal with a slight smile and quickly left the office in search of Hermione.
***
"So you've talked to him?" whispered Hermione as she, Harry, and Ron headed towards the Great Hall for dinner.
"Yes," replied Harry, "Don't worry about it Hermione." Hermione frowned but nodded. A moment later, they walked into the Great Hall, and took their usual seats beside one another. Immediately, Harry searched the table for Draco, but the blonde Slytherin was nowhere to be seen. Harry frowned, since the day he had arrived; Draco had had dinner everyday with the rest of the Order of the Phoenix members in the Great Hall. It was very unusual for him ever to be late for the occasion and, privately, Harry suspected that Draco enjoyed torturing everyone at the table with his overbearing presence and seemingly perfect manners. Even Harry had to admit that it was very entertaining to watch Mr. Weasley stumble through dinner everyday. At least the man was no longer asking him questions about how the Muggle world functioned. Harry scanned the table again, no Crabbe and Goyle either, just what was going on? Just then, Ron turned to him and began a lively conversation about Quidditch. For the rest of dinner, the two of them argued passionately over whether Viktor Krum would be inducted to the Quidditch Hall of Fame this year or not with Hermione adding in a few personal comments of her own.
Soon, Harry even managed to relax. And later that night, the three of them began a game of Exploding Snap that didn't end until one in the morning.
***
Artemis frowned as she read Draco's letter for the third time. So Draco had also found out, or at least guessed, who the Heir of Apollo was. Which made things even trickier considering how the two of them were notorious for being archenemies. Artemis looked up at the calendar. It said August 30. Term begins on September 1, and Artemis could only hope that her work at Hogwarts as the new Care of Magical Creatures teacher and her twin's work as the Defense against the Dark Arts teacher would help softened things between the two boys. If they couldn't learn to work together.Artemis shook her head, she would not think about that. Tiredly, Artemis put the letter down and turned around in her chair to see Pan come in with a letter of his own. Artemis smiled softly at her brother, "Well, did you get the Hogwarts job?"
Pan snorted indignantly, "Of course I did! How could I not, considering just how incompetent the last Games Keeper was? Just look at the things he's done! Taking children into the Forbidden Forest to look for dead unicorns and keeping a giant on school grounds are the least of his transgressions. You are lucky sis, all you have to do is teach. I have to do all the brunt work and, on top of that, my pay's almost as low as a house elf's. " Artemis let out a small laugh of amusement, "Then I guess we're all set! By the way, you should read this." Lazily, Artemis handed Draco's letter to her brother and watched him from the corner of her eye as he read. A minute later, Pan handed the letter back to Artemis with a small chuckle.
"You know, that boy sounds exactly like you did," replied Pan with a smile, "I remember you always complaining about how you hated your brother and all that. Remember that time you commanded me to steal his herd of cows for revenge when he killed your lover, Orion? I still don't understand what happened at the end of that fiasco to make the two of you fall in love. However, I wouldn't worry about Draco if I were you. I'm sure he'll find some way to work with the Potter brat. After all, if you and Apollo could manage to work past the mutual enmity between the two of you, then I'm sure Draco will be just fine. He's a smart kid."
Artemis' eyebrows shot up into her hair, "Do you just realize that you just paid him a compliment?"
Pan snorted, "Of course I did, and I'm not joking. I may say he's hopeless, but that boy. Let's just say that with all my wisdom, if it came down to a fight between me and him, I'm not sure I'd win."
***
"Now Harry," began Professor Phoebus as they stood outside the closed door to the potions room, "I cannot really teach you to control that power through words, you have to learn through practice. I will try to explain as best as I can, though. When you feel that cold power within you, I want you to think of happy things, like you'd do if you were casting a Patronus charm. Then, I want you to push that cold feeling down, not into yourself but the earth. That's the way you ground unused power. You might have realized this before, but if you begin to cast a spell and you are interrupted in the middle of casting it, you automatically return that power into the earth and not, as it seems, into your own body."
Harry frowned, "I never thought about it in that way, but I guess you're right."
Professor Phoebus smiled, "But knowing what to do in theory is not the same as actually doing it. That's why I've devised this system. You will go into that dungeon, I will not. I've created an illusion spell that will show you images from your past, images of your past meetings with Voldemort, images that will trigger your necromancy. Everything you see will seem real and you will not be able to tell that it is an illusion. The purpose is to see if you can control your powers under these stressful situations."
"And what would happen if I cannot control the power?" asked Harry skeptically, "Will it be able to hurt anyone."
Professor Phoebus shook his head; "I put several layers of special shields around the room. If you do lose control, the illusion will dissolve. I suspect that when it does, your powers will fade also. I don't expect you to be able to do this the first time. I don't even expect us to master it today considering how you know practically nothing about this gift and I can only speak of it from an outsider's point of view."
Harry paled but nodded determinedly, "Alright then, let's go." With shaking hands, Harry opened the door and stepped inside. With a click, he heard the door shut behind him and Harry was alone in the dark dungeon. Immediately, the room swirled around him and Harry was thrown off his feet. With a thump, he landed on his back.
Harry groaned, slowly crawled to his feet. Above him, he could see many pillars extending to a ceiling lost in the darkness of the hall. A lavish design of serpents twirled themselves up these pillars and in front of him; Harry could just make out the towering statue of an old wizard with a gaunt face and a long thin beard. Harry's eyes widened, he was in the Chamber of Secrets.
As if entranced, Harry watched a younger version of himself run up to the fallen figure of young Ginny Weasley at the base of the statue. He watched as the young Harry conversed with the memory of Tom Riddle. Cautiously Harry walked up to them but neither Tom Riddle nor his former self seemed to see him. Curiously, Harry reached out to touch the strange apparition. Suddenly, he felt something pull at him, instinctively, Harry fought back but to no avail. Darkness surrounded him, sending him crashing down into the past.
"Dumbledore has been driven out if this castle by the mere memory of me!" hissed Riddle angrily.
"He's not as gone as you might think!" Harry felt himself retort. What was going on? Could it be possible? Was he truly facing Tom Riddle again in the Chamber of Secrets? How could it be? Suddenly, Harry heard the unmistakable sound of phoenix song and looked up to see a crimson bird, the size of a swan sweep into view and fly straight at Harry. Gracefully, it dropped a ragged bundle at Harry's feet and landed gently on his shoulder.
"That's a phoenix," remarked Riddle shrewdly as he stared at the bird.
"Fawkes" breathed Harry, almost instinctively as he turned to look at the magnificent bird.
"And that-," said Riddle, now eyeing the ragged thing at Harry's feet, "That's the old school Sorting Hat-"
Riddle let out a triumphant laugh, "That is what Dumbledore sends his defender? A songbird and an old hat! Do you feel brave, Harry Potter? Do you feel safe now?"
"To business, Harry," said Riddle, still smiling broadly, "Twice-In your past, in my future-we have met. And twice I failed to kill you. How did you survive? Tell me everything. The longer you talk," he added softly, "the longer you stay alive."
"No one knows why you lost your powers when you attacked me," snarled Harry, "I don't know myself. But I know why you couldn't kill me. Because my mother died to save me. My common Muggle-born mother! She stopped you from killing me. And I've seen the real you, I saw you last year. You're a wreck. You're barely alive. That's where all your power got you. You're in hiding. You're ugly, you're foul-"
Riddle's face contorted into a mask a fury. His lips twisted into an awful smile, "So. Your mother died to save you. Yes, that's a powerful countercharm. I can see now. There is nothing special about you, after all. I wondered, you see. There are strange likenesses between us, after all. Both half-bloods, orphans, raised by Muggles. Probably the only two Parselmouths to come to Hogwarts since the great Slytherin himself. We even look something alike. but after all, it was merely a lucky chance that saved you from me. That's all I wanted to know."
"Now Harry, I'm going to teach you a little lesson. Let's match the powers of Lord Voldemort, Heir of Salazar Slytherin, against famous Harry Potter, and the best weapons Dumbledore can give him. Speak to me, Slytherin, greatest of Hogwarts Four."
Harry wheeled around and watched with growing horror as he watched as Salazar Slytherin's mouth opened slowly. Somewhere, in the darkness of that huge, black hole Harry could barely make out something stirring in the depths, something slithering out to meet Harry. Harry slowly backed away until his back met the cold stone of the Chamber wall. Urgently, Harry shut his eyes tight and he felt Fawkes' wing sweep his cheek as he took flight. Something huge hit the stone floor of the Chamber, sending a soft shudder through the Chamber. Somewhere, in the darkness, Harry heard Riddle's hissing voice, "KILL HIM!"
Harry heard the soft rustling of scales as the basilisk moved slowly towards him. Harry ran, blindly, his hands outstretched to feel the way. Behind him, he could hear Riddle's high-pitched laughter. Harry tripped and fell onto the stone floor. Blood filled his mouth as he tried frantically to get up. The serpent was inches away from him now.
Suddenly, Harry felt a dark power flare inside his chest. Like a raging fire, it burned through his veins, leaving Harry shivering where he lay on the cold stone floor. The air crackled with dark magic and Harry could dimly hear Riddle's panicked screams as he pleaded with Harry to stop. No, this wasn't right. This wasn't real. He had to ground the power; he had to try to control it. Desperately, Harry tried to reign in the power he had just released and force it back into the ground. Images of blue lightning swirled ahead and Harry could hear the faint whispering of spirits long gone as he rode the power and tried to control it. Slowly, the Chamber of Secrets dissolved around him.
Harry woke up, gasping for breath and trembled slightly at the memory of the Chamber. Harry smiled tiredly, he had done it, and he had managed to ground the power. Behind him, the door opened and Harry looked up to see Professor Phoebus walk in.
"Well done!" he beamed at Harry, "I didn't expect you to do quite so well! I think we'll take a break and then continue to work on grounding the power this afternoon. I think that by tomorrow, we can maybe work on making sure the power doesn't take control in the first place."
"I saw the Chamber of Secrets," whispered Harry shakily as he slowly got up from the dungeon floor, "I saw Ginny, and the Basilisk, and, most of all, I saw HIM."
"Riddle?" asked Professor Phoebus with a carefully neutral look on his face.
"Yes, Riddle," replied Harry as he followed Professor Phoebus out of the dungeons, "You know, seeing him again makes me wonder if he truly was evil, if he truly is evil now. I think in a way, it's our pasts that shape us, make us into the people we are now and I wonder, if Riddle hadn't had such a horrible father or if he hadn't been so bitter about his Muggle blood, would he have turned out to be the Lord Voldemort we know now. I think I'm beginning to see what I couldn't understand three, no four, years ago. We cannot just say that Lord Voldemort is an evil, psycho maniac killer and just be done with it. He's become what he is now because he never had anyone to care for him, he's never had one single person who loved and accepted him. And I wonder, that if I hadn't come to Hogwarts or if I didn't have Hermione, or Ron, or any of my other friends for that matter, if I would have become like Riddle. Is there really that much of a difference between the sixteen year old Riddle and myself?"
Professor Phoebus sighed and looked Harry straight in the eye, "I would say that yes, you are right about why Riddle is what he is now. Being a witness to the millennia, I know what it feels like to be alone, and to love only oneself for fear of losing those whom you might otherwise love and how that inability to love can hurt as much as death itself. I feel that if someone had intervened early on in Riddle's life, he might have turned out differently. As it is, can you imagine it Harry? To go through life without a single friend of your own? To crave love and respect from one's peers and receive only fear and submission in return? That kind of life can lead anyone onto the path of darkness."
Professor Phoebus hesitated, "I would say that Tom Riddle is a man to be pitied. However, that does not change the facts. He is a danger to the entire wizarding world and only you and Draco can ever hope of destroying him. Because of that, show him no mercy when you do meet. Mercy will only get you killed. I think that when Voldemort dies, he will be happy at least to know that you were there for him. That he could count on you to be his enemy and to be at his side during his last minutes on earth. I think he will be happy knowing that in his dying moments, that there was someone who cared about the boy he once was. So I tell you this, when you fight him, fight him with an understanding of who he is and not in the blind hatred you have fought him before. Show him what little understanding that you can give him but when the time comes, do not hold back because of pity for he shall show you none."
Harry frowned in thought, "I understand. You know something else? I used to think that the world was divided into two camps: those who opposed Voldemort and those who were for him. But now I see, you can't divide the world into that. People do what they think is best for them and sometimes, their actions do not entirely agree with your own point of view. I realize now that the world is divided into shades of gray. Some are so dark that they could be called black and some so light that they can be called white. But in the end, there is no black and white, only gray. In life, there can be no one who is purely good or evil. In fact, I would go so far as to say that there is no evil. Only misconceptions led on by lies and blind hatred."
Apollo's face softened, "You know, Harry, I think that you might just be right."
***
Harry let out a huge sigh of relief as he and Professor Phoebus staggered into the Great Hall for dinner. After the incident of the Chamber of Secrets, Professor Phoebus had changed the spell on the dungeon so that instead of bringing back images of Harry's past, it instead created new and unfamiliar situations, usually involving Voldemort. As it was, Harry had improved so much as to be able to ground the magic he had summoned perfectly almost each time his subconscious pulled it forward. Even so, Harry was acutely aware that he had only the next morning to practice since the rest of the students would be returning tomorrow and Harry would probably not get another chance to practice once term was really under way.
Taking a seat between Hermione and Ron, Harry proceeded to stack his plate full of Mrs. Weasley's delicious cooking when the Great Hall fell silent. Harry looked up curiously and stared as Draco Malfoy, flanked by Crabbe and Goyle took their seats at the dining table. Immediately, Harry opened up his link and sent Draco a silent question. Almost lazily, Draco turned his head towards Harry's and for a moment their eyes met before Draco glanced casually away. Harry frowned and tried to send Draco another message but Draco had put a shield around the link and, try as he might, Harry couldn't penetrate it.
As far as Harry knew, Draco hadn't been seen all day. He had been missing at breakfast and lunch and Dumbledore had even sent a house elf up to Draco's suite to see if he was still alive. Staring across the table at the blonde boy now, Harry was suddenly acutely aware that they had not talked since that incident right after he had ran away from Dumbledore's office. Harry fought down the urge to go to Draco, to shake the other boy until he was forced to recognize him. He wanted to-no, he would not think of that. After all, Harry didn't even know exactly what had happened yesterday. Looking away from Draco, Harry began to eat in silence.
***
(Now, a bit more of Draco's POV, finally.) Draco's thoughts were in turmoil as he tried not to stare at Harry. Dimly, he was aware that Professor Snape and Dumbledore had asked him about his day but he couldn't even remember what he had said in reply. It must have been satisfactory since neither of them pushed the issue any further. Draco's mind burned with the knowledge of what had happened yesterday and he knew, without a doubt, that he had taken it too far. This was no way for someone of his status and social position to behave, and yet Draco wanted, no needed Harry. He had no idea, no earthly idea what could have ever made him kiss Harry like that. He had never been interested in boys before, damn it! He was a Malfoy and Malfoys don't spend their time pining over other boys. They spend their time being fawned over by a bevy of beautiful young witches. He was gorgeous! The most popular guy in the entire school, why would he have any interest what so ever in a scrawny BOY with tangled black hair? Draco snarled silently in frustration. He needed to see a psychiatrist. Yeah, that was it. All the women and booze had finally gotten to him, and that was why he was acting this way.
***
"Hurry!" We'll be late for the Sorting Ceremony!" called Ron as Harry and Hermione followed him down the grand staircase. Quickly, Harry rushed down the main hall and froze as Draco and his Slytherin friends swerved into view.
"You go on, I have to do something first," said Harry distractedly as he watched Draco through narrowed eyes.
Hermione frowned but nodded unhappily, Alright Harry. If you're sure, but don't be late."
Harry nodded distractedly as he closed his eyes and found the link. Carefully, he concentrated his power and sent a small burst of magic through the link. Opening his eyes, Harry watched with satisfaction as Draco's head snapped up from across the hall. Half a minute later, Draco's annoyed voice sounded through his head, "What do you want? I thought we weren't talking."
"Actually, it's more like you have been avoiding me for the past couple of days," replied Harry calmly, "we need to talk, now."
"Alright!" snapped Draco angrily, "you've made your point. I have been avoiding you. But why do we need to talk now of all times? Can't you see I'm busy?"
Because," explained Harry patiently, "This silence is not working for me and I'm sure it hasn't been working for you either."
"Actually, it has," replied Draco, "Fine then, meet me in a few minutes in the empty Charms classroom." Without waiting for Harry's reply, Draco slammed his shields down and he was thrown suddenly out of the other boy's mind.
Harry shook his head with disbelief but obediently made his way up the stairs to the Charms classroom. Taking a seat on Flitwick's desk, Harry began to wait for Draco's arrival. Half a minute later, the door opened and Draco stepped in. Crossing his arms, Draco waited expectantly for Harry to begin.
"What?" asked Draco with a bitter smile, "You aren't going to snog me like you did last time? I'm all yours, Harry."
Harry blushed but determinedly met those stormy gray eyes. For a moment, something close to pain flickered in the cold, gray depths of them before they went blank. "No Draco," replied Harry gently, "Once is enough. And I would really like to still be able to think after I leave so I don't need a repeat performance right now."
Draco blinked in surprise as if he hadn't been expecting that acknowledgement of his sexual prowess. Slowly a wicked smile bloomed on the blonde's lips. "And what if," whispered Draco intimately, "What if I do?" Lightly, Draco brushed his lips against Harry's cheek; Harry shuddered and closed his eyes.
"Why are you doing this?" asked Harry breathlessly, "How did we go from hating each other to this?"
Draco smiled bitterly, "It's funny isn't it? Just how thin a line there is between love and hate."
"I still don't believe it," said Harry, "You are an arrogant bastard, I can't possibly be in love with you, and yet ever since I truly got to know you, I found that I couldn't possibly think of you as being evil or a bastard or even cruel. Why the masquerade, Draco? Why are you so unpleasant to everyone when you really aren't."
"Don't you know?" asked Draco mysteriously, "I am cruel, and arrogant and a bastard and I don't deny that I sometimes enjoy torturing people. I've never hid who I truly am, Harry."
"No," objected Harry stubbornly, "You exaggerate your dark side. Why?"
"Very well, you really want to know?" asked Draco heavily, "Survival; I was raised in France with other children from the other branches of Malfoy. The Patriarchs of the family were holding me hostage until I reached the age of twelve and was sent home to come to Hogwarts. To live in that place.you cannot imagine it! It was a whole other world where murder and intrigue occurred on a daily basis."
"I'm sorry Draco," whispered Harry nervously, "I didn't-I never-knew."
Malfoy's eyes had a haunted look to them, "Of course you didn't, Potter. We were enemies remember? Enough of this, what do you want?"
"I want to know why. Why I feel this way when I touch you," whispered Harry tentatively, "What changed to make me want you of all people and what the hell are we going to do now?"
Draco smiled suddenly, "It seems simple enough, I like you and you like me, what's to stop us from being together?"
Harry shook his head with disbelief, "I can't believe I'm hearing you say this. I think we both know now it can't be that simple."
Draco snarled, "It could be, but being a Gryffindor, you would never accept that kind of solution. All we have to do is keep this to ourselves and we can do whatever the hell we want! You want me, Harry. I can feel it."
Harry shook his head adamantly, "No, we've hid too much already. I'm not going to keep things from my friends any longer."
"The world isn't all about you, Potter!" snapped Draco angrily, "I thought we've had this little conversation before. Besides, need I remind you how disastrous that could be for me?
Harry was silent for a moment, I'm sorry, I wasn't thinking."
Of course you weren't!" cut in Draco scathingly, "If you had been, we wouldn't be having this conversation in the first place!"
Hermione already knows, you know," remarked Harry dryly, "But she'll keep a secret."
Draco froze, "What?"
Harry shifted uncomfortably, "I didn't tell her, she found out because she was spying on us in my invisibility cloak that day we well."
Draco buried his head in his hands, "This is not happening to me! You better make sure she does not tattle, Harry or we'll all be very, very sorry." Turning around, Draco walked out of the Charms classroom, leaving Harry alone in utter speechlessness.
***
By the time Harry had returned to the Great Hall, the sorting ceremony was almost finished. Silently he took a seat between Hermione and Ron and watched as the last two kids were sorted into their houses. Harry's eyes wandered over to the Slytherin table where Draco sat between Crabbe and Goyle. As if he was aware of Harry's gaze, Draco stiffened and bowed his head. Harry hurriedly looked away.
"Ahem!" began Professor Dumbledore, "First a few announcements before we begin this wonderful feast. I would like everyone to welcome three new staff members this year and to tell you that Professor Hagrid has taken the year off. Now, I would like you to welcome Professor Phoebus who will be teaching Defense Against the Dark Arts this year." Professor Phoebus stood and smiled rather benevolently.
"Thank you, Professor Dumbledore," replied Professor Phoebus graciously, "It is a pleasure to be here and I hope everyone will enjoy this year as much as I surely will." Scattered applause met this remark and Harry and Hermione exchanged nervous glances.
"The second new teacher we have," continued Professor Dumbledore as Professor Phoebus resumed his seat, is Professor Olympia who will be teaching Care of Magical Creatures this year." A young, dark-haired witch sitting at end of the staff table stood up and smiled shyly. From across the room, Draco's head snapped up in surprise. It couldn't be possible, could it? The new teacher was none other than Artemis herself. Draco barely heard the words Artemis was saying. What was she doing here? He had to talk to her!
The sound of Dumbledore's voice yanked Draco back into reality. "Now the last addition to our staff sadly couldn't make it tonight. But, if you get a chance, please say hello to our new Gamekeeper who I suspect all of you shall get a chance to meet soon. Now, let the feast begin!"
Harry jumped as he felt Hermione's elbow in his ribs. Turning around, he asked angrily, "What was that for?"
"You were staring at Malfoy," whispered Hermione, " I didn't think that was wise."
Harry's face softened a bit, "Oh, I'm sorry." Hermione shook her head sadly and piled food onto her plate. Harry stared at his food and pushed his plate away. He was no longer hungry.
Ron leaned over, "You missed the prefect meeting! Herm and I had to fill in for you. What's wrong, Harry?"
Harry shook his head, "I can't tell you right now."
Ron frowned. "Don't think I haven't noticed, Harry," he whispered angrily, "I may be slow but I'm not stupid. You are going to tell me what's wrong."
"Why can't you just leave me alone?" asked Harry tiredly, "I'm not in the mood for another argument."
Ron slammed his fork down on the table, "Look, Harry, I've had it! I've had enough of this 'I can't tell you because you wouldn't understand' crap! I'm your best friend, if you haven't noticed, so tell me, what's wrong?"
Harry sighed dejectedly; "I'll talk to you when we're some place private, alright?"
"Fine; then meet me in the Common room tonight after the feast. It's usually empty the first night back," turning away from Harry; Ron resumed his meal in brooding silence. Harry picked up his own fork and began to eat but the food had no taste and all he could think of was what he was going to tell Ron. No doubt, he would have to know the gist of what happened, but would Harry be able to keep this new twist in his relationship with Malfoy secret? He'd promised Draco that he'd keep things in the box for a little while longer, but Ron was his best friend and Harry didn't know whether he'd be able to keep anything from Ron if he was really persistent. Besides, even if Harry did tell Ron about his relationship with Draco, Ron wouldn't tattle, would he? No, Harry didn't doubt that Ron could keep a secret. What he doubted was if their friendship would survive this little fiasco.
"Harry, can I have a word?" asked Hermione urgently as she and Harry led the new first years up the steps, "Don't tell Ron about how you and Draco are, well, sexually attracted to each other."
Harry smiled dryly, "I thought you told me it would be for the best if Ron knew everything."
Hermione sighed, "I really don't think he can handle that much shock on such short notice, that's all."
Harry nodded in agreement, "I think Draco would agree with you." Hermione frowned but let it go. Rounding the corner, they came to the portrait of the Fat Lady.
"Alright then, first years, that portrait is the entrance to Gryffindor Tower. The password is 'Honeur'," The portrait of the Fat Lady swung open, revealing the portrait hole and the inside of the Gryffindor common room. The first years squealed with surprise and Harry found himself reminiscing about the night Percy had led him on the same journey with Hermione and Ron five years ago.
Boys, follow me to your dorms!" called Harry over the excited chatter of the first years, "And girls, you follow Hermione to yours'." Leading the way up the steps, Harry showed the boys into their new rooms and made sure the doors were securely closed before tiredly making his way down to the common room to wait for Ron. A moment later, the portrait hole swung open and Ron clambered in.
"Well?" asked Ron as he took a seat in the armchair by the fire, "Would you care to explain what's going on?"
Harry sighed, "It's a long story, do you really want to hear it all tonight?"
"Yes, I do," said Ron testily, "Just get to the point Potter, we don't have all night." Harry and Ron glared silently at each other for a moment before Harry finally looked down uncomfortably.
"It really began this summer when Draco." Harry nervously began to tell Ron about all that had happened that summer, being careful not to mention anything about the dreams he had had or the rather interesting turn his relationship with the Slytherin had taken. Finally, he was done and they sat together, staring emptily into the now dying fire.
Finally Ron asked softly, "Why didn't you tell me this before? Don't you trust me anymore?" Harry looked up, shocked.
"Of course I trust you, that's why I told you." Protested Harry, "I just-"
"You just didn't trust me to keep my head because it's Malfoy," laughed Ron bitterly, "You were scared of what I'd think if I knew you were friends with Malfoy. Well you were right not to trust me, Harry. I am mad and I don't like this Malfoy thing at all but you are still my friend."
"I don't expect you to like it Ron," ventured Harry cautiously, "I just want you to respect that Malfoy is my friend. I just want you to accept it."
Ron sighed, "Do I have a choice? I can't stand it if I lose you. No matter how much I hate Malfoy, I still cannot bring myself to hurt you!"
Harry was taken back by the look of pure agony on Ron's face. He gulped; finally he asked in a timid voice, "What do we do now?"
Ron sighed emptily and Harry realized with a shock just how tired his friend looked. At last, Ron spoke, "It's late, and we have classes tomorrow. Why don't we turn in for the night?"
It suddenly hit Harry as he slowly sank down into his bed and drew the curtain closed that no matter how much he loved Draco, he would always depend on Ron for support and understanding. In many ways, Draco was still a complete mystery, but Ron Harry understood completely. It seemed to Harry as the dark embrace of sleep came over him that only Ron, or possibly Draco, could ever touch him on such a deep and personal level.
***
End
Thanks to everyone who reviewed, especially RikuNghts who I think was my first reviewer and definitely my most dependable supporter. Thanks for everything, and Cheers! This chapter is for you. ^_~
Chapter 6
"Hermione!" gasped Harry what are you doing here?"
Hermione looked down nervously, "I'm sorry, Harry, I was worried about you so I waited outside Dumbledore's office."
Harry stared at her with disbelief, "You followed me here? What the hell did you think you were doing?"
Hermione blushed, "I was worried about you! We all were, especially after you were taken away by the Ministry and all that, please Harry, don't be angry!"
"Why didn't you take off the invisibility cloak?" demanded Harry furiously, "I didn't even know you were here!"
"I was going to," said Hermione quietly, "Until Draco Malfoy showed up. Why were you snogging Malfoy? Why was Malfoy even here in the first place?"
"It's none of your business, Hermione!" snarled Harry angrily, "Just leave me alone, will you?"
Hermione frowned, "Yes Harry, it is. These past couple of weeks you've practically ignored everyone's existence! Your as snappy as hell and have been unaccountably rude every time we so much as talk to you!"
Harry sighed, "You wouldn't understand even if I told you." Hermione suddenly slapped Harry across the cheek, Harry's eyes snapped up in surprise.
"Of course we don't understand right now, but have you ever wondered why that's the case?" asked Hermione scathingly, "It's because you won't tell us anything. You've been holed up with Malfoy for the past two weeks and, sometimes, you don't even talk to Ron! We're your best friends, enlighten us on what the hell is going on!"
"Do you believe in fate, Hermione?" asked Harry hollowly, "That sometimes two people were just meant to be together?"
Hermione smiled dryly, "I do believe in fate but I highly doubt you and Malfoy were meant for each other."
Harry smiled humorlessly, "He has a first name you know, and I don't just think Draco and I are meant to be together, I know we are. Don't you see Hermione, every time I look at him; my body goes tight in some very interesting places. Everything he says or does, I have an extreme reaction to. I love him, I don't know why or even how I could love him, but I do!"
Hermione stared for a moment, "Explain."
Quickly, as if pouring out all his emotions, Harry told her everything that had been happening in the past month. When he was finished, the room was completely silent.
"Are you angry at me?" asked Harry cautiously.
Hermione sighed, "No Harry, not angry, I want to be. I don't think you can ever understand how much I want to just slap Malfoy in the face right now and tell him to leave you alone, but I can't. It's not your fault that you like him and it's not his fault either."
"I'm sorry Hermione," whispered Harry softly.
"Don't be," she replied shortly. The silence between them stretched had become almost unbearable until finally, Hermione managed to say in an amused voice, "I can't believe this! Hogwarts' two most eligible bachelors have fallen for each other!"
"What do you mean?" asked Harry in a confused, but relieved, voice.
Hermione just stared at him. "You really don't know, do you, Harry?" asked Hermione wonderingly.
Harry's frown was genuinely puzzled, "What don't I know?"
Hermione sighed unhappily, "I can't believe it; you really have no idea what affect you and Draco have on girls! I mean, you and Draco are the most popular boys in the entire school! Just ask Parvati or Lavender or any girl for that matter! Girls would kill for a date with either of you! I mean come on; you are Harry Potter, the hero who saved the entire wizarding world from destruction. Even if you were ugly or excessively vain, girls would still like you. But you are not, Harry. You are nice, caring, funny, and so heartbreakingly charming! Then there is Draco Malfoy. Despite all that arrogance, even I have to admit he is drop dead gorgeous! Draco, the beautiful ice prince, Hogwart's cover boy. Every girl in the entire school would forgive every bad thing he's ever done if he so much as looks their way! The problem is, he doesn't care and you just don't notice! Neither of you have ever been truly interested in girls at all!"
Harry was silent for a moment. Finally, he asked in a small voice, "What about you, Hermione? Are you only my friend because I'm famous?"
Hermione snorted with disgust, "Don't be silly Harry. You know I'm not like that. I might have been first attracted to you because of your fame and because what I had read about you intrigued me, but, well, I care about you because you are a friend, Harry."
"Harry smiled weakly, "I'm glad you are here with me, Hermione, you always seem to know exactly what to do."
Hermione frowned, a worried look on her face, "I don't know Harry. This time, you might have dug yourself a hole even I can't help you out of. I mean, first off, what do we tell Ron?"
"Why do we have to tell him anything?" asked Harry defensively.
Hermione sighed, "Do you actually think you can hide things from Ron forever. He's your best friend! He deserves to know, probably more than I do."
"I don't know anymore, Hermione," whispered Harry in a heart broken voice, "I don't think I understand anything anymore. It's not just Draco, it's also the Death Eater I killed."
"Don't blame yourself for the past," said Hermione sadly, "There is nothing any of us can do to change it." Hermione paused and then continued; "I suggest that you go talk to Draco when you both cool down a bit. In the mean time, go talk to Professor Phoebus, or Apollo, or whatever you want to call him! Even if he isn't a necromancer, he might be able to teach you the basics so an accident like the one you had in Diagon Alley will not happen again. You'd also better tell Ron what's going on. You know he'll just be mad at you when he does manage to figure it out by himself."
"Alright," agreed Harry, "Now, if you'll excuse me?"
***
Harry pondered Hermione's words as he slowly made his way to the teachers' wing and towards Professor Phoebus' office. Harry hated to admit it, but Hermione had been right about Ron. He just didn't think he had the guts to fess up. Hesitatingly, Harry knocked softly on Professor Phoebus' door. The door immediately swung open and he was admitted into a windowless room with a huge, backwards L-shaped oak desk and a line of bookshelves running across two walls of the room. Brightly painted murals in the old Greco- Roman style covered the rest of the walls and a huge carpet depicting the twins Artemis and Apollo was thrown across the cold stone floor. Huge candlesticks provided a warm glow to the whole scene.
"How may I help you?" asked Professor Phoebus curiously as Harry nervously took a seat in one of the armchairs across from the desk, "I was making lesson plans for the start of term, but I was planning to take a break anyways. Would you like a cup of tea?"
"Please," replied Harry thankfully as he reached out for the proffered teacup, "Professor, I came to apologize for my rude behavior earlier today, I hope you can forgive me."
"Of course Harry," said Professor Phoebus with an absent wave of his hand, "It is nothing. Now, what can I do for you?"
"Well," began Harry uncomfortably, "I was wondering whether you could help me with, well, you know, my necromancy."
Professor Phoebus sighed, "I, myself, am not a necromancer and therein lies the problem. You are my Heir, Harry, and I will try to do the best I can for you, but realize that necromancy is not my line of work, nor do I have any talent for it. Professor Dumbledore and I are trying to find another necromancer to take you under his wing. However, there are only two left in the world. One is my uncle, Hades, formerly known as the Ruler of the Underworld. He has already declined to help you. The other is Osiris, one of only three survivors of the entire Egyptian pantheon. We cannot find him although we are trying are best to locate him. Even now, we have Order of the Phoenix members across the world looking for him. I, myself, can seal the power within you, and teach you to control it if it ever acts up again so no human life is lost, but I cannot teach you finer skills like how to penetrate the Shadowed Veil, or how to converse with spirits who did not remain as ghosts, or even how to use that power to kill in battle. When you killed the Death Eater, it was spontaneous magic and the chances of us replicating that are highly unlikely. I will teach you what I can, but what if something goes wrong and I cannot stop it?"
Harry frowned and pondered that idea for a moment. Finally, he replied, "I understand what you are saying, Professor. However it's a risk we must take. If I do not learn at least how to keep the power from going wild, then I would be a danger to those in Hogwarts. How long will these lessons take me?"
Professor Phoebus smiled, "Not long, school starts in two and a half days, meet me tomorrow morning after breakfast down in the potions dungeon. I'm sure I can persuade Professor Snape to give up his work space for a day or so."
Harry nodded, "That'll be fine. Thank you Professor."
"I'm glad I could help," replied Professor Phoebus smoothly, "See you tomorrow Harry." Harry accepted his dismissal with a slight smile and quickly left the office in search of Hermione.
***
"So you've talked to him?" whispered Hermione as she, Harry, and Ron headed towards the Great Hall for dinner.
"Yes," replied Harry, "Don't worry about it Hermione." Hermione frowned but nodded. A moment later, they walked into the Great Hall, and took their usual seats beside one another. Immediately, Harry searched the table for Draco, but the blonde Slytherin was nowhere to be seen. Harry frowned, since the day he had arrived; Draco had had dinner everyday with the rest of the Order of the Phoenix members in the Great Hall. It was very unusual for him ever to be late for the occasion and, privately, Harry suspected that Draco enjoyed torturing everyone at the table with his overbearing presence and seemingly perfect manners. Even Harry had to admit that it was very entertaining to watch Mr. Weasley stumble through dinner everyday. At least the man was no longer asking him questions about how the Muggle world functioned. Harry scanned the table again, no Crabbe and Goyle either, just what was going on? Just then, Ron turned to him and began a lively conversation about Quidditch. For the rest of dinner, the two of them argued passionately over whether Viktor Krum would be inducted to the Quidditch Hall of Fame this year or not with Hermione adding in a few personal comments of her own.
Soon, Harry even managed to relax. And later that night, the three of them began a game of Exploding Snap that didn't end until one in the morning.
***
Artemis frowned as she read Draco's letter for the third time. So Draco had also found out, or at least guessed, who the Heir of Apollo was. Which made things even trickier considering how the two of them were notorious for being archenemies. Artemis looked up at the calendar. It said August 30. Term begins on September 1, and Artemis could only hope that her work at Hogwarts as the new Care of Magical Creatures teacher and her twin's work as the Defense against the Dark Arts teacher would help softened things between the two boys. If they couldn't learn to work together.Artemis shook her head, she would not think about that. Tiredly, Artemis put the letter down and turned around in her chair to see Pan come in with a letter of his own. Artemis smiled softly at her brother, "Well, did you get the Hogwarts job?"
Pan snorted indignantly, "Of course I did! How could I not, considering just how incompetent the last Games Keeper was? Just look at the things he's done! Taking children into the Forbidden Forest to look for dead unicorns and keeping a giant on school grounds are the least of his transgressions. You are lucky sis, all you have to do is teach. I have to do all the brunt work and, on top of that, my pay's almost as low as a house elf's. " Artemis let out a small laugh of amusement, "Then I guess we're all set! By the way, you should read this." Lazily, Artemis handed Draco's letter to her brother and watched him from the corner of her eye as he read. A minute later, Pan handed the letter back to Artemis with a small chuckle.
"You know, that boy sounds exactly like you did," replied Pan with a smile, "I remember you always complaining about how you hated your brother and all that. Remember that time you commanded me to steal his herd of cows for revenge when he killed your lover, Orion? I still don't understand what happened at the end of that fiasco to make the two of you fall in love. However, I wouldn't worry about Draco if I were you. I'm sure he'll find some way to work with the Potter brat. After all, if you and Apollo could manage to work past the mutual enmity between the two of you, then I'm sure Draco will be just fine. He's a smart kid."
Artemis' eyebrows shot up into her hair, "Do you just realize that you just paid him a compliment?"
Pan snorted, "Of course I did, and I'm not joking. I may say he's hopeless, but that boy. Let's just say that with all my wisdom, if it came down to a fight between me and him, I'm not sure I'd win."
***
"Now Harry," began Professor Phoebus as they stood outside the closed door to the potions room, "I cannot really teach you to control that power through words, you have to learn through practice. I will try to explain as best as I can, though. When you feel that cold power within you, I want you to think of happy things, like you'd do if you were casting a Patronus charm. Then, I want you to push that cold feeling down, not into yourself but the earth. That's the way you ground unused power. You might have realized this before, but if you begin to cast a spell and you are interrupted in the middle of casting it, you automatically return that power into the earth and not, as it seems, into your own body."
Harry frowned, "I never thought about it in that way, but I guess you're right."
Professor Phoebus smiled, "But knowing what to do in theory is not the same as actually doing it. That's why I've devised this system. You will go into that dungeon, I will not. I've created an illusion spell that will show you images from your past, images of your past meetings with Voldemort, images that will trigger your necromancy. Everything you see will seem real and you will not be able to tell that it is an illusion. The purpose is to see if you can control your powers under these stressful situations."
"And what would happen if I cannot control the power?" asked Harry skeptically, "Will it be able to hurt anyone."
Professor Phoebus shook his head; "I put several layers of special shields around the room. If you do lose control, the illusion will dissolve. I suspect that when it does, your powers will fade also. I don't expect you to be able to do this the first time. I don't even expect us to master it today considering how you know practically nothing about this gift and I can only speak of it from an outsider's point of view."
Harry paled but nodded determinedly, "Alright then, let's go." With shaking hands, Harry opened the door and stepped inside. With a click, he heard the door shut behind him and Harry was alone in the dark dungeon. Immediately, the room swirled around him and Harry was thrown off his feet. With a thump, he landed on his back.
Harry groaned, slowly crawled to his feet. Above him, he could see many pillars extending to a ceiling lost in the darkness of the hall. A lavish design of serpents twirled themselves up these pillars and in front of him; Harry could just make out the towering statue of an old wizard with a gaunt face and a long thin beard. Harry's eyes widened, he was in the Chamber of Secrets.
As if entranced, Harry watched a younger version of himself run up to the fallen figure of young Ginny Weasley at the base of the statue. He watched as the young Harry conversed with the memory of Tom Riddle. Cautiously Harry walked up to them but neither Tom Riddle nor his former self seemed to see him. Curiously, Harry reached out to touch the strange apparition. Suddenly, he felt something pull at him, instinctively, Harry fought back but to no avail. Darkness surrounded him, sending him crashing down into the past.
"Dumbledore has been driven out if this castle by the mere memory of me!" hissed Riddle angrily.
"He's not as gone as you might think!" Harry felt himself retort. What was going on? Could it be possible? Was he truly facing Tom Riddle again in the Chamber of Secrets? How could it be? Suddenly, Harry heard the unmistakable sound of phoenix song and looked up to see a crimson bird, the size of a swan sweep into view and fly straight at Harry. Gracefully, it dropped a ragged bundle at Harry's feet and landed gently on his shoulder.
"That's a phoenix," remarked Riddle shrewdly as he stared at the bird.
"Fawkes" breathed Harry, almost instinctively as he turned to look at the magnificent bird.
"And that-," said Riddle, now eyeing the ragged thing at Harry's feet, "That's the old school Sorting Hat-"
Riddle let out a triumphant laugh, "That is what Dumbledore sends his defender? A songbird and an old hat! Do you feel brave, Harry Potter? Do you feel safe now?"
"To business, Harry," said Riddle, still smiling broadly, "Twice-In your past, in my future-we have met. And twice I failed to kill you. How did you survive? Tell me everything. The longer you talk," he added softly, "the longer you stay alive."
"No one knows why you lost your powers when you attacked me," snarled Harry, "I don't know myself. But I know why you couldn't kill me. Because my mother died to save me. My common Muggle-born mother! She stopped you from killing me. And I've seen the real you, I saw you last year. You're a wreck. You're barely alive. That's where all your power got you. You're in hiding. You're ugly, you're foul-"
Riddle's face contorted into a mask a fury. His lips twisted into an awful smile, "So. Your mother died to save you. Yes, that's a powerful countercharm. I can see now. There is nothing special about you, after all. I wondered, you see. There are strange likenesses between us, after all. Both half-bloods, orphans, raised by Muggles. Probably the only two Parselmouths to come to Hogwarts since the great Slytherin himself. We even look something alike. but after all, it was merely a lucky chance that saved you from me. That's all I wanted to know."
"Now Harry, I'm going to teach you a little lesson. Let's match the powers of Lord Voldemort, Heir of Salazar Slytherin, against famous Harry Potter, and the best weapons Dumbledore can give him. Speak to me, Slytherin, greatest of Hogwarts Four."
Harry wheeled around and watched with growing horror as he watched as Salazar Slytherin's mouth opened slowly. Somewhere, in the darkness of that huge, black hole Harry could barely make out something stirring in the depths, something slithering out to meet Harry. Harry slowly backed away until his back met the cold stone of the Chamber wall. Urgently, Harry shut his eyes tight and he felt Fawkes' wing sweep his cheek as he took flight. Something huge hit the stone floor of the Chamber, sending a soft shudder through the Chamber. Somewhere, in the darkness, Harry heard Riddle's hissing voice, "KILL HIM!"
Harry heard the soft rustling of scales as the basilisk moved slowly towards him. Harry ran, blindly, his hands outstretched to feel the way. Behind him, he could hear Riddle's high-pitched laughter. Harry tripped and fell onto the stone floor. Blood filled his mouth as he tried frantically to get up. The serpent was inches away from him now.
Suddenly, Harry felt a dark power flare inside his chest. Like a raging fire, it burned through his veins, leaving Harry shivering where he lay on the cold stone floor. The air crackled with dark magic and Harry could dimly hear Riddle's panicked screams as he pleaded with Harry to stop. No, this wasn't right. This wasn't real. He had to ground the power; he had to try to control it. Desperately, Harry tried to reign in the power he had just released and force it back into the ground. Images of blue lightning swirled ahead and Harry could hear the faint whispering of spirits long gone as he rode the power and tried to control it. Slowly, the Chamber of Secrets dissolved around him.
Harry woke up, gasping for breath and trembled slightly at the memory of the Chamber. Harry smiled tiredly, he had done it, and he had managed to ground the power. Behind him, the door opened and Harry looked up to see Professor Phoebus walk in.
"Well done!" he beamed at Harry, "I didn't expect you to do quite so well! I think we'll take a break and then continue to work on grounding the power this afternoon. I think that by tomorrow, we can maybe work on making sure the power doesn't take control in the first place."
"I saw the Chamber of Secrets," whispered Harry shakily as he slowly got up from the dungeon floor, "I saw Ginny, and the Basilisk, and, most of all, I saw HIM."
"Riddle?" asked Professor Phoebus with a carefully neutral look on his face.
"Yes, Riddle," replied Harry as he followed Professor Phoebus out of the dungeons, "You know, seeing him again makes me wonder if he truly was evil, if he truly is evil now. I think in a way, it's our pasts that shape us, make us into the people we are now and I wonder, if Riddle hadn't had such a horrible father or if he hadn't been so bitter about his Muggle blood, would he have turned out to be the Lord Voldemort we know now. I think I'm beginning to see what I couldn't understand three, no four, years ago. We cannot just say that Lord Voldemort is an evil, psycho maniac killer and just be done with it. He's become what he is now because he never had anyone to care for him, he's never had one single person who loved and accepted him. And I wonder, that if I hadn't come to Hogwarts or if I didn't have Hermione, or Ron, or any of my other friends for that matter, if I would have become like Riddle. Is there really that much of a difference between the sixteen year old Riddle and myself?"
Professor Phoebus sighed and looked Harry straight in the eye, "I would say that yes, you are right about why Riddle is what he is now. Being a witness to the millennia, I know what it feels like to be alone, and to love only oneself for fear of losing those whom you might otherwise love and how that inability to love can hurt as much as death itself. I feel that if someone had intervened early on in Riddle's life, he might have turned out differently. As it is, can you imagine it Harry? To go through life without a single friend of your own? To crave love and respect from one's peers and receive only fear and submission in return? That kind of life can lead anyone onto the path of darkness."
Professor Phoebus hesitated, "I would say that Tom Riddle is a man to be pitied. However, that does not change the facts. He is a danger to the entire wizarding world and only you and Draco can ever hope of destroying him. Because of that, show him no mercy when you do meet. Mercy will only get you killed. I think that when Voldemort dies, he will be happy at least to know that you were there for him. That he could count on you to be his enemy and to be at his side during his last minutes on earth. I think he will be happy knowing that in his dying moments, that there was someone who cared about the boy he once was. So I tell you this, when you fight him, fight him with an understanding of who he is and not in the blind hatred you have fought him before. Show him what little understanding that you can give him but when the time comes, do not hold back because of pity for he shall show you none."
Harry frowned in thought, "I understand. You know something else? I used to think that the world was divided into two camps: those who opposed Voldemort and those who were for him. But now I see, you can't divide the world into that. People do what they think is best for them and sometimes, their actions do not entirely agree with your own point of view. I realize now that the world is divided into shades of gray. Some are so dark that they could be called black and some so light that they can be called white. But in the end, there is no black and white, only gray. In life, there can be no one who is purely good or evil. In fact, I would go so far as to say that there is no evil. Only misconceptions led on by lies and blind hatred."
Apollo's face softened, "You know, Harry, I think that you might just be right."
***
Harry let out a huge sigh of relief as he and Professor Phoebus staggered into the Great Hall for dinner. After the incident of the Chamber of Secrets, Professor Phoebus had changed the spell on the dungeon so that instead of bringing back images of Harry's past, it instead created new and unfamiliar situations, usually involving Voldemort. As it was, Harry had improved so much as to be able to ground the magic he had summoned perfectly almost each time his subconscious pulled it forward. Even so, Harry was acutely aware that he had only the next morning to practice since the rest of the students would be returning tomorrow and Harry would probably not get another chance to practice once term was really under way.
Taking a seat between Hermione and Ron, Harry proceeded to stack his plate full of Mrs. Weasley's delicious cooking when the Great Hall fell silent. Harry looked up curiously and stared as Draco Malfoy, flanked by Crabbe and Goyle took their seats at the dining table. Immediately, Harry opened up his link and sent Draco a silent question. Almost lazily, Draco turned his head towards Harry's and for a moment their eyes met before Draco glanced casually away. Harry frowned and tried to send Draco another message but Draco had put a shield around the link and, try as he might, Harry couldn't penetrate it.
As far as Harry knew, Draco hadn't been seen all day. He had been missing at breakfast and lunch and Dumbledore had even sent a house elf up to Draco's suite to see if he was still alive. Staring across the table at the blonde boy now, Harry was suddenly acutely aware that they had not talked since that incident right after he had ran away from Dumbledore's office. Harry fought down the urge to go to Draco, to shake the other boy until he was forced to recognize him. He wanted to-no, he would not think of that. After all, Harry didn't even know exactly what had happened yesterday. Looking away from Draco, Harry began to eat in silence.
***
(Now, a bit more of Draco's POV, finally.) Draco's thoughts were in turmoil as he tried not to stare at Harry. Dimly, he was aware that Professor Snape and Dumbledore had asked him about his day but he couldn't even remember what he had said in reply. It must have been satisfactory since neither of them pushed the issue any further. Draco's mind burned with the knowledge of what had happened yesterday and he knew, without a doubt, that he had taken it too far. This was no way for someone of his status and social position to behave, and yet Draco wanted, no needed Harry. He had no idea, no earthly idea what could have ever made him kiss Harry like that. He had never been interested in boys before, damn it! He was a Malfoy and Malfoys don't spend their time pining over other boys. They spend their time being fawned over by a bevy of beautiful young witches. He was gorgeous! The most popular guy in the entire school, why would he have any interest what so ever in a scrawny BOY with tangled black hair? Draco snarled silently in frustration. He needed to see a psychiatrist. Yeah, that was it. All the women and booze had finally gotten to him, and that was why he was acting this way.
***
"Hurry!" We'll be late for the Sorting Ceremony!" called Ron as Harry and Hermione followed him down the grand staircase. Quickly, Harry rushed down the main hall and froze as Draco and his Slytherin friends swerved into view.
"You go on, I have to do something first," said Harry distractedly as he watched Draco through narrowed eyes.
Hermione frowned but nodded unhappily, Alright Harry. If you're sure, but don't be late."
Harry nodded distractedly as he closed his eyes and found the link. Carefully, he concentrated his power and sent a small burst of magic through the link. Opening his eyes, Harry watched with satisfaction as Draco's head snapped up from across the hall. Half a minute later, Draco's annoyed voice sounded through his head, "What do you want? I thought we weren't talking."
"Actually, it's more like you have been avoiding me for the past couple of days," replied Harry calmly, "we need to talk, now."
"Alright!" snapped Draco angrily, "you've made your point. I have been avoiding you. But why do we need to talk now of all times? Can't you see I'm busy?"
Because," explained Harry patiently, "This silence is not working for me and I'm sure it hasn't been working for you either."
"Actually, it has," replied Draco, "Fine then, meet me in a few minutes in the empty Charms classroom." Without waiting for Harry's reply, Draco slammed his shields down and he was thrown suddenly out of the other boy's mind.
Harry shook his head with disbelief but obediently made his way up the stairs to the Charms classroom. Taking a seat on Flitwick's desk, Harry began to wait for Draco's arrival. Half a minute later, the door opened and Draco stepped in. Crossing his arms, Draco waited expectantly for Harry to begin.
"What?" asked Draco with a bitter smile, "You aren't going to snog me like you did last time? I'm all yours, Harry."
Harry blushed but determinedly met those stormy gray eyes. For a moment, something close to pain flickered in the cold, gray depths of them before they went blank. "No Draco," replied Harry gently, "Once is enough. And I would really like to still be able to think after I leave so I don't need a repeat performance right now."
Draco blinked in surprise as if he hadn't been expecting that acknowledgement of his sexual prowess. Slowly a wicked smile bloomed on the blonde's lips. "And what if," whispered Draco intimately, "What if I do?" Lightly, Draco brushed his lips against Harry's cheek; Harry shuddered and closed his eyes.
"Why are you doing this?" asked Harry breathlessly, "How did we go from hating each other to this?"
Draco smiled bitterly, "It's funny isn't it? Just how thin a line there is between love and hate."
"I still don't believe it," said Harry, "You are an arrogant bastard, I can't possibly be in love with you, and yet ever since I truly got to know you, I found that I couldn't possibly think of you as being evil or a bastard or even cruel. Why the masquerade, Draco? Why are you so unpleasant to everyone when you really aren't."
"Don't you know?" asked Draco mysteriously, "I am cruel, and arrogant and a bastard and I don't deny that I sometimes enjoy torturing people. I've never hid who I truly am, Harry."
"No," objected Harry stubbornly, "You exaggerate your dark side. Why?"
"Very well, you really want to know?" asked Draco heavily, "Survival; I was raised in France with other children from the other branches of Malfoy. The Patriarchs of the family were holding me hostage until I reached the age of twelve and was sent home to come to Hogwarts. To live in that place.you cannot imagine it! It was a whole other world where murder and intrigue occurred on a daily basis."
"I'm sorry Draco," whispered Harry nervously, "I didn't-I never-knew."
Malfoy's eyes had a haunted look to them, "Of course you didn't, Potter. We were enemies remember? Enough of this, what do you want?"
"I want to know why. Why I feel this way when I touch you," whispered Harry tentatively, "What changed to make me want you of all people and what the hell are we going to do now?"
Draco smiled suddenly, "It seems simple enough, I like you and you like me, what's to stop us from being together?"
Harry shook his head with disbelief, "I can't believe I'm hearing you say this. I think we both know now it can't be that simple."
Draco snarled, "It could be, but being a Gryffindor, you would never accept that kind of solution. All we have to do is keep this to ourselves and we can do whatever the hell we want! You want me, Harry. I can feel it."
Harry shook his head adamantly, "No, we've hid too much already. I'm not going to keep things from my friends any longer."
"The world isn't all about you, Potter!" snapped Draco angrily, "I thought we've had this little conversation before. Besides, need I remind you how disastrous that could be for me?
Harry was silent for a moment, I'm sorry, I wasn't thinking."
Of course you weren't!" cut in Draco scathingly, "If you had been, we wouldn't be having this conversation in the first place!"
Hermione already knows, you know," remarked Harry dryly, "But she'll keep a secret."
Draco froze, "What?"
Harry shifted uncomfortably, "I didn't tell her, she found out because she was spying on us in my invisibility cloak that day we well."
Draco buried his head in his hands, "This is not happening to me! You better make sure she does not tattle, Harry or we'll all be very, very sorry." Turning around, Draco walked out of the Charms classroom, leaving Harry alone in utter speechlessness.
***
By the time Harry had returned to the Great Hall, the sorting ceremony was almost finished. Silently he took a seat between Hermione and Ron and watched as the last two kids were sorted into their houses. Harry's eyes wandered over to the Slytherin table where Draco sat between Crabbe and Goyle. As if he was aware of Harry's gaze, Draco stiffened and bowed his head. Harry hurriedly looked away.
"Ahem!" began Professor Dumbledore, "First a few announcements before we begin this wonderful feast. I would like everyone to welcome three new staff members this year and to tell you that Professor Hagrid has taken the year off. Now, I would like you to welcome Professor Phoebus who will be teaching Defense Against the Dark Arts this year." Professor Phoebus stood and smiled rather benevolently.
"Thank you, Professor Dumbledore," replied Professor Phoebus graciously, "It is a pleasure to be here and I hope everyone will enjoy this year as much as I surely will." Scattered applause met this remark and Harry and Hermione exchanged nervous glances.
"The second new teacher we have," continued Professor Dumbledore as Professor Phoebus resumed his seat, is Professor Olympia who will be teaching Care of Magical Creatures this year." A young, dark-haired witch sitting at end of the staff table stood up and smiled shyly. From across the room, Draco's head snapped up in surprise. It couldn't be possible, could it? The new teacher was none other than Artemis herself. Draco barely heard the words Artemis was saying. What was she doing here? He had to talk to her!
The sound of Dumbledore's voice yanked Draco back into reality. "Now the last addition to our staff sadly couldn't make it tonight. But, if you get a chance, please say hello to our new Gamekeeper who I suspect all of you shall get a chance to meet soon. Now, let the feast begin!"
Harry jumped as he felt Hermione's elbow in his ribs. Turning around, he asked angrily, "What was that for?"
"You were staring at Malfoy," whispered Hermione, " I didn't think that was wise."
Harry's face softened a bit, "Oh, I'm sorry." Hermione shook her head sadly and piled food onto her plate. Harry stared at his food and pushed his plate away. He was no longer hungry.
Ron leaned over, "You missed the prefect meeting! Herm and I had to fill in for you. What's wrong, Harry?"
Harry shook his head, "I can't tell you right now."
Ron frowned. "Don't think I haven't noticed, Harry," he whispered angrily, "I may be slow but I'm not stupid. You are going to tell me what's wrong."
"Why can't you just leave me alone?" asked Harry tiredly, "I'm not in the mood for another argument."
Ron slammed his fork down on the table, "Look, Harry, I've had it! I've had enough of this 'I can't tell you because you wouldn't understand' crap! I'm your best friend, if you haven't noticed, so tell me, what's wrong?"
Harry sighed dejectedly; "I'll talk to you when we're some place private, alright?"
"Fine; then meet me in the Common room tonight after the feast. It's usually empty the first night back," turning away from Harry; Ron resumed his meal in brooding silence. Harry picked up his own fork and began to eat but the food had no taste and all he could think of was what he was going to tell Ron. No doubt, he would have to know the gist of what happened, but would Harry be able to keep this new twist in his relationship with Malfoy secret? He'd promised Draco that he'd keep things in the box for a little while longer, but Ron was his best friend and Harry didn't know whether he'd be able to keep anything from Ron if he was really persistent. Besides, even if Harry did tell Ron about his relationship with Draco, Ron wouldn't tattle, would he? No, Harry didn't doubt that Ron could keep a secret. What he doubted was if their friendship would survive this little fiasco.
"Harry, can I have a word?" asked Hermione urgently as she and Harry led the new first years up the steps, "Don't tell Ron about how you and Draco are, well, sexually attracted to each other."
Harry smiled dryly, "I thought you told me it would be for the best if Ron knew everything."
Hermione sighed, "I really don't think he can handle that much shock on such short notice, that's all."
Harry nodded in agreement, "I think Draco would agree with you." Hermione frowned but let it go. Rounding the corner, they came to the portrait of the Fat Lady.
"Alright then, first years, that portrait is the entrance to Gryffindor Tower. The password is 'Honeur'," The portrait of the Fat Lady swung open, revealing the portrait hole and the inside of the Gryffindor common room. The first years squealed with surprise and Harry found himself reminiscing about the night Percy had led him on the same journey with Hermione and Ron five years ago.
Boys, follow me to your dorms!" called Harry over the excited chatter of the first years, "And girls, you follow Hermione to yours'." Leading the way up the steps, Harry showed the boys into their new rooms and made sure the doors were securely closed before tiredly making his way down to the common room to wait for Ron. A moment later, the portrait hole swung open and Ron clambered in.
"Well?" asked Ron as he took a seat in the armchair by the fire, "Would you care to explain what's going on?"
Harry sighed, "It's a long story, do you really want to hear it all tonight?"
"Yes, I do," said Ron testily, "Just get to the point Potter, we don't have all night." Harry and Ron glared silently at each other for a moment before Harry finally looked down uncomfortably.
"It really began this summer when Draco." Harry nervously began to tell Ron about all that had happened that summer, being careful not to mention anything about the dreams he had had or the rather interesting turn his relationship with the Slytherin had taken. Finally, he was done and they sat together, staring emptily into the now dying fire.
Finally Ron asked softly, "Why didn't you tell me this before? Don't you trust me anymore?" Harry looked up, shocked.
"Of course I trust you, that's why I told you." Protested Harry, "I just-"
"You just didn't trust me to keep my head because it's Malfoy," laughed Ron bitterly, "You were scared of what I'd think if I knew you were friends with Malfoy. Well you were right not to trust me, Harry. I am mad and I don't like this Malfoy thing at all but you are still my friend."
"I don't expect you to like it Ron," ventured Harry cautiously, "I just want you to respect that Malfoy is my friend. I just want you to accept it."
Ron sighed, "Do I have a choice? I can't stand it if I lose you. No matter how much I hate Malfoy, I still cannot bring myself to hurt you!"
Harry was taken back by the look of pure agony on Ron's face. He gulped; finally he asked in a timid voice, "What do we do now?"
Ron sighed emptily and Harry realized with a shock just how tired his friend looked. At last, Ron spoke, "It's late, and we have classes tomorrow. Why don't we turn in for the night?"
It suddenly hit Harry as he slowly sank down into his bed and drew the curtain closed that no matter how much he loved Draco, he would always depend on Ron for support and understanding. In many ways, Draco was still a complete mystery, but Ron Harry understood completely. It seemed to Harry as the dark embrace of sleep came over him that only Ron, or possibly Draco, could ever touch him on such a deep and personal level.
***
End
Thanks to everyone who reviewed, especially RikuNghts who I think was my first reviewer and definitely my most dependable supporter. Thanks for everything, and Cheers! This chapter is for you. ^_~