"Harry Potter and the Brethren of Ares"
By: Merusa
Rating: PG-13 for violence, language, and mild implications
Chapter 11: On Eagle's Wings
This chapter is dedicated to John Ritter, a comedic genius, and Johnny Cash, a legend forgotten by our generation, who both died today.
Let us pray that we do not forget the greats, and that their legacies shall live on.
9/12/03
Harry had a splitting headache. He groaned, and massages his temples, resting his elbows on the dinner table. The fact that the House Elves were chanting loudly, as someone had put a Sonorus spell on them, was not helping.
PAY MORE! NOT ENOUGH! OFFER BAD!
Neville was babbling at him from across the table. "Harry, I'm so sorry, I didn't know that not even Hermione would know the countercurse to the spell, I'm sorry..."
Harry waved a hand at Neville. "Really, its okay," he said through gritted teeth, "I'm glad you mastered the headache charm, and the D.A. is for practicing spells-"
"Found it!" Hermione crowed triumphantly. She pointed her wand at Harry. "Finite Incantatem!"
The ache immediately subsided. A very annoyed Harry looked up at his bushy haired friend. "You said Finite Incantatem doesn't work on headache charms!"
PAY MORE! NOT ENOUGH! OFFER BAD!
Hermione blushed. "I'm sorry," she said, in a very small voice.
Harry rolled his eyes. "Don't worry about it."
Suddenly, there were shouts and gasps from across the Great Hall. Harry looked up, and saw a brown owl carrying a snow white package. The white item was dropped from the owl's claws, and plummeted down towards Harry and his friends.
Harry's eyes widened. He jumped onto the bench and caught the item in his arms.
"Hedwig!"
The battered owl made a noise that sounded faintly like a hoot.
Harry looked down at his visibly pained familiar in shock.
PAY MORE! NOT ENOUGH! OFFER BAD!
"'Arry!" Harry recognized Hagrid's voice, and felt the large man drop a hand lightly on his shoulder. Hagrid spoke gently. "Let's bring 'Edwig ov'r to me house an' we'll check 'er out, alrigh'?" Without waiting for a response, Hagrid steered the Boy-Who-Lived out of the Great Hall.
Harry walked in shock, cradling Hedwig like she was a baby, as Hagrid brought them quickly to his hut. Harry sat down once inside, thankful that Fang knew better than to jump at him.
Hagrid tenderly took Hedwig from Harry, and laid the owl on a cushion on the table. Harry leaned back against the humongous armchair and watched through worried eyes, his mind swirling.
There was no doubt in his mind as to who hurt Hedwig, for the second time in two years. He also knew why- Harry was quite certain that Hedwig was his familiar, and it wasn't a huge secret that she was his owl.
But, why now?
A few moments later, Hagrid turned and looked at Harry sadly. From the look on his face, Harry could tell that it was not good news.
"'Arry...."
Harry waited, preparing himself.
"I'm 'fraid tha' 'Edwig can't no longer fly."
***
Much later that night, Harry was carrying Hedwig, who was wrapped in a blanket, back to his down. Hedwig hooted softly, weakly, her large amber eyes watching him carefully. Harry knew that she was aware that she could know longer fly- he wasn't sure how he knew, but he did.
He paused on his trek, looking carefully over her bandaged figure. He spoke softly.
"Hey, girl....did you get hurt because of me, too?"
***
Harry trotted nervously towards the entrance to the Headmaster's office. He whispered the password- "The Moose Is Eating My Cheese." Shaking his head slightly, Harry stepped onto the spiral moving staircase, and waited impatiently to get to the top. Once the stairs had stopped, he knocked on the door.
"Come in, Harry."
Harry stepped inside the office, slightly more apprehensive than was perhaps necessary. The first thing that he saw was that many of the trinkets and objects usually adorning his Headmaster's office were missing, and most of the remaining ones were broken. He was sure that in his fit of childish anger he had not broken that many items. The portraits continued to sleep; blissfully unaware of his presence, although he was quite sure that some would wake and yell at him eventually. His eyes habitually turned and noted the presence of Fawkes, who trilled a note softly before flying and settling on his shoulder.
Turning, Harry faced Dumbledore. The powerful man looked utterly exhausted close up. His eyes were almost missing their usual twinkle, and Harry noted a jagged scar across one of the man's gnarled hands. Dumbledore motioned for Harry to sit, and he did, waiting for the much older man to speak.
"Hello, Harry." The voice was much raspier than the Boy-Who-Lived recalled it to be. One of the wrinkled hands motioned to the seat in front of his desk. Harry sat down.
"Professor Dumbledore, I'm sorry again about ruining your, er, trinkets."
Dumbledore shook his head. "Don't worry about it, Harry.
That is not why I called you here today.
Harry nodded, waiting.
"I believe it would be prudent for you to continue Occlumency lesson with Professor Snape. I know that I said I would give you lessons myself, but the old man in me is not strong enough for that anymore."
Harry froze. He frowned. "Professor-"
A sharp knock at the door interrupted Harry's words. "Come in," called the Headmaster softly.
The door swung open, revealing to Harry the first close-up view he'd had of Professor Snape that year. Snape's hair seemed a little less greasy this year, but still intolerably unclean. His face seemed a bit older, a bit wiser, perhaps. Dumbledore nodded at him, and he swept into the seat next to Harry's.
Harry looked at Dumbledore so the urge to scream his heart out at the man beside him would not come to pass. Dumbledore shot both of them separate warning looks.
"Harry, I'll let you know when your first lesson is. Feel free to leave." Harry stood, not wishing to be witness to the conversation coming.
He turned, and feeling the power radiating from both men as he slipped out of the room.
***
*To find out what happened to Dumbledore's office, refer to my story, "Hurt".
Author's Note: Sorry about the length...or lack thereof. I had to get this posted....or else it never would be.
Review Responses:
Mella deRanged: You'll see!
PhoenixPadfoot89: You'll see why!
Facade1: *pouts* *whines* But I can't kiss him either! Male singers are so smecksay! ^^
Alatariel Sirenial: I'm so happy you said that! That's the second time someone had said it! ^^; Yay you!
Samantha: ROTFLMGDMFAO?
Slycat-blaze1: The House Elves aren't happy with the offers being made to them. Yes, eventually Remus and Harry will talk! *huggles Remus plushie*
Apinda: YES! I REMEMBER THE DISCLAIMER! ^^ Thank you for reviewing, having you review is like Ashwinder or Arabella or Zsenya reviewing! You're one of the greats in my book! Now, go update Prophecy and Pensieve! I want the H/G snog to come! Lol.
EriEka127: Thank you *bows*
BDiddy: VIOLENCE! ^__^ We have to watch the Matrix at the next family gathering. The madness will never end, cousin dearest.
Official! BoA Soundtrack (YES! SOUNDTRACK!):
Story Theme: Good Charlotte- The Young and the Hopeless (^____________________^)
Harry's Theme: Fuel- Shimmer
Dumbledore's Theme: Johnny Cash- Hurt
Ron's Theme: Liam Lynch- My United States of Whatever
Hermione's Theme: Thursday- Signals Over The Air
Ginny's Theme: Michelle Branch- Desperately
Padma's Theme: A.F.I.- Girl's Not Grey
Neville's Theme: Mr. Cellophane from Chicago
Luna's Theme: Superchic[k]- One Girl Revolution
Ok...I'm working on it. More songs will come eventually. Please suggest songs, even for people with a song already! I love music, which is why I'm making a soundtrack ^^;.
I LOVE YOU ALL!