Chapter four: The Prophecy
The three walked out of the class, Harry disturbingly silent among the barrage of questions and comments Hermione and Ron were throwing at him.
"What did she say to you when she shook your hand, Harry?" Hermione asked.
"Why was she close to you after Snape came in the first place? Was she listening to us?" Ron wondered.
" She was staring into your eyes as if she wanted to know something," Hermione was deep in thought as she said this.
"Why did she flinch when she touched your skin?"
"There! That proves she's evil! Remember how you told us that Quirrel couldn't touch you skin because he was so evil?" Hermione cried in triumph. Harry struggled to answer her and say that she felt his protection, not pain, but he was interrupted by Ron.
"No, Herm. Then why didn't her hands burn and she cry out in pain? That's what happened to Quirrel, right Harry?"
"No, she still felt something, which shows that there's something evil underlying that girl. I just don't have a good feeling about her."
"That slimy git, Malfoy, accusing you of doing it on purpose," Ron said darkly, "only he would do something like that, not you."
"But I heard her say 'Ouch' also, Harry. It must have touched her hands, and she never took off the glove until after a long while."
" But nothing happened to her hand."
"Yeah, but she did fall to the floor and couldn't breathe. Weakness, cloudiness of sight, and shortness of breath are the immediate symptoms of basilisk venom, followed by loss of consciousness and then-" Hermione recited in a textbook-like tone.
" I know, I know! Didn't I fight one in my second year? All I know is that it definitely got to her, but how she survived through it, I don't know," Harry finally cried.
"Uh, Harry? Where are we going?" Ron had finally realized that they weren't walking toward the Common Room to put their school things away, but outside, to the grounds.
"Quidditch field," Harry grunted, quickening his pace.
"Why?" Hermione asked.
"Snape asked her to meet him and Dumbledore there at dinner. I overheard him talking to her."
"Oh, it must be about the words burned into the field," Ron said.
"Yeah, plus I never got a chance to look at the field myself,," Harry said.
"Harry, we're not allowed to go in there. Nobody has seen it since the night of the match. Curses and messages written in unknown tongues can be very dangerous," Hermione warned.
"Don't worry, Herm. I'll just use the excuse that as Gryffindor Captian, I wanted to see the condition of the field," Harry said, " besides, we won't get caught, I always keep this with me, in case it comes in handy." He had a sly grin on his face as he pulled out the Invisibility cloak and covering the three of them, steered towards the Gryffindor locker room, ( which Hermione opened with her signature Alohomora spell) that led to the Quidditch field.
Snape was leading Eve to the center of the field, where Dumbledore stood near a large patch of grass, where parts were burned, forming mysterious, foreign words. Eve was eyeing them with a look of shock. Something about them obviously upset her. Her lips were mouthing silent words, and her eyes were moving back and forth.
"Is she reading it??" Ron asked, amazed.
"Eve, Professor Snape here tells me that you are able to read ancient potions written in ancient tongues. Could you help us decipher this message? Eve?" Dumbledore repeated her name more loudly, as Eve didn't seem to be listening, she was so taken with the words on the field. She looked up at Dumbledore and swallowed. She was shaking a little. The she nodded her head slightly and waved her hand over the words, muttering something Harry couldn't hear. Dumbledore and Snape were staring at her intently. She then bent over to touch the ground, and suddenly recoiled: the ground was still hot. Just then the letters were moving in snakelike motions, and to Harry's horror and amazement, forming new, readable words:
All must mark this omen
For it had been laid for thousands of years,
The rising villain will open
An evil beyond your wildest fears.
The one Supreme Being must realize her power,
She controls everything in all the lands.
And upon that portentous hour
The fate of the world rests in her hands.
Whether good or evil, only one may guide her choice,
Her perfect match, one she will eternally love.
No matter what she defies, she will heed his voice
And send her decision to the sky above.
But before the answers and the destiny of all is found,
The blood of the Innocent will stain the ground.
And for whom she takes this fateful advice,
She shall make the ultimate sacrifice.
Suddenly the words sunk into the ground, disappearing, and a green beam of light burst from the ground, zooming towards the school.
"Eve, what's happening?" Dumbledore asked, and for the first time, Harry heard a slight apprehension in his voice.
"Now that it is read by at least one person, it must be read by all. It is going to a place where everyone can see it." Eve whispered, a blank look on her face as she seemed to be gazing absentmindedly into the distance, her eyes slightly dilated.
Harry, Ron, and Hermione all looked at each other, their mouths slightly open in shock and bewilderment.
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The three Gryffindors ran back toward the castle and went on to the first floor. They didn't get far into the castle because of the huge, yet deathly silent crowd gathering in the Great Hall. The same verse which was on the field was now on the wall, where all the students could read its green, glittering letters. Everyone was staring, their breaths held back. Then, Dumbledore appeared, and the crowd parted as he walked to the front of the room, right next to the omen. All eyes were on him.
"Everyone, I am afraid this is the message that was burned onto the Quidditch field a week ago. For those of you who remember when the Chamber of Secrets was opened, you can see that this message was made by more sophisticated means. It came from lightning, as you all remember (at this many heads turned toward Harry's direction as he tried to be nonchalant). Right now, there is magic of the most ancient kind being used, with its most primeval elements being used. This is much more serious than anything we have ever experienced. I must warn all of you to be extremely cautious. If what this omen says is true, then there is some source of unlimited power coming into existence. When put in the wrong hands, it could mean the end of everything. Everything. Until we find this all-powerful being, and her chosen one, I again urge all of you to be very careful. But don't panic. As long as I am headmaster of this school, no innocent person will be fatally hurt. I will make every conceivable effort to fight this evil. Of that, you may all be sure."
After his speech, Dumbledore left the Great Hall. Everyone had the same solemn demeanor as him, but as soon as he left, a burst of hushed, tense whispering filled the room. Suddenly Harry stopped and froze in his place as he heard a familiar drawl, although it was much quieter than usual, as if not supposed to be heard.
" Humph. Dumbledore acts like he doesn't know who it is. He already does, I assure you. Although I doubt he'll succeed. She'll have more, er, convincing forces leading her to her rightful path."
It was, of course, Draco Malfoy talking to another Slytherin. Apparently, Crabbe or Goyle were too slow to appreciate what he was saying. Harry tried to concentrate on hearing them while trying not to look at them the same time. Unfortunatley, Ron barged in at that moment.
" Can you believe what just happened, mate? Blimey, I wonder who is this all-powerful person, and who's the lucky guy that-"
"Shhh!" Harry held up his to shut him up, but Ron had been too loud. Malfoy turned and saw them.
"Didn't your mother ever tell you it's not polite to eavesdrop, Potter? Oh, I forgot, you never had one," he spat acidly. Apparently, he was upset that he had let Harry hear him.
"Not if the fate of the world is in stake. You probably know all about this, don't you? And hear you are, bragging about it, all thoroughly pleased," Hermione had seen Harry and had been silent until then.
"Hasn't it occurred to you that this might endanger everyone? Even you and your snobbish family?" Harry tried controlling his rage, but his hands were shaking.
Draco walked closer towards Harry, looked straight in his eyes and in a dangerously low voice said, " You should know by now, Potter, that nothing can endanger you, if you have the right connections. Why are you even worried? Famous, good Harry Potter, protector of all, will save the day as always," he gave a short, derisive laugh, "Only this time, you won't be able to."
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The three walked out of the class, Harry disturbingly silent among the barrage of questions and comments Hermione and Ron were throwing at him.
"What did she say to you when she shook your hand, Harry?" Hermione asked.
"Why was she close to you after Snape came in the first place? Was she listening to us?" Ron wondered.
" She was staring into your eyes as if she wanted to know something," Hermione was deep in thought as she said this.
"Why did she flinch when she touched your skin?"
"There! That proves she's evil! Remember how you told us that Quirrel couldn't touch you skin because he was so evil?" Hermione cried in triumph. Harry struggled to answer her and say that she felt his protection, not pain, but he was interrupted by Ron.
"No, Herm. Then why didn't her hands burn and she cry out in pain? That's what happened to Quirrel, right Harry?"
"No, she still felt something, which shows that there's something evil underlying that girl. I just don't have a good feeling about her."
"That slimy git, Malfoy, accusing you of doing it on purpose," Ron said darkly, "only he would do something like that, not you."
"But I heard her say 'Ouch' also, Harry. It must have touched her hands, and she never took off the glove until after a long while."
" But nothing happened to her hand."
"Yeah, but she did fall to the floor and couldn't breathe. Weakness, cloudiness of sight, and shortness of breath are the immediate symptoms of basilisk venom, followed by loss of consciousness and then-" Hermione recited in a textbook-like tone.
" I know, I know! Didn't I fight one in my second year? All I know is that it definitely got to her, but how she survived through it, I don't know," Harry finally cried.
"Uh, Harry? Where are we going?" Ron had finally realized that they weren't walking toward the Common Room to put their school things away, but outside, to the grounds.
"Quidditch field," Harry grunted, quickening his pace.
"Why?" Hermione asked.
"Snape asked her to meet him and Dumbledore there at dinner. I overheard him talking to her."
"Oh, it must be about the words burned into the field," Ron said.
"Yeah, plus I never got a chance to look at the field myself,," Harry said.
"Harry, we're not allowed to go in there. Nobody has seen it since the night of the match. Curses and messages written in unknown tongues can be very dangerous," Hermione warned.
"Don't worry, Herm. I'll just use the excuse that as Gryffindor Captian, I wanted to see the condition of the field," Harry said, " besides, we won't get caught, I always keep this with me, in case it comes in handy." He had a sly grin on his face as he pulled out the Invisibility cloak and covering the three of them, steered towards the Gryffindor locker room, ( which Hermione opened with her signature Alohomora spell) that led to the Quidditch field.
Snape was leading Eve to the center of the field, where Dumbledore stood near a large patch of grass, where parts were burned, forming mysterious, foreign words. Eve was eyeing them with a look of shock. Something about them obviously upset her. Her lips were mouthing silent words, and her eyes were moving back and forth.
"Is she reading it??" Ron asked, amazed.
"Eve, Professor Snape here tells me that you are able to read ancient potions written in ancient tongues. Could you help us decipher this message? Eve?" Dumbledore repeated her name more loudly, as Eve didn't seem to be listening, she was so taken with the words on the field. She looked up at Dumbledore and swallowed. She was shaking a little. The she nodded her head slightly and waved her hand over the words, muttering something Harry couldn't hear. Dumbledore and Snape were staring at her intently. She then bent over to touch the ground, and suddenly recoiled: the ground was still hot. Just then the letters were moving in snakelike motions, and to Harry's horror and amazement, forming new, readable words:
All must mark this omen
For it had been laid for thousands of years,
The rising villain will open
An evil beyond your wildest fears.
The one Supreme Being must realize her power,
She controls everything in all the lands.
And upon that portentous hour
The fate of the world rests in her hands.
Whether good or evil, only one may guide her choice,
Her perfect match, one she will eternally love.
No matter what she defies, she will heed his voice
And send her decision to the sky above.
But before the answers and the destiny of all is found,
The blood of the Innocent will stain the ground.
And for whom she takes this fateful advice,
She shall make the ultimate sacrifice.
Suddenly the words sunk into the ground, disappearing, and a green beam of light burst from the ground, zooming towards the school.
"Eve, what's happening?" Dumbledore asked, and for the first time, Harry heard a slight apprehension in his voice.
"Now that it is read by at least one person, it must be read by all. It is going to a place where everyone can see it." Eve whispered, a blank look on her face as she seemed to be gazing absentmindedly into the distance, her eyes slightly dilated.
Harry, Ron, and Hermione all looked at each other, their mouths slightly open in shock and bewilderment.
_____________________________________
The three Gryffindors ran back toward the castle and went on to the first floor. They didn't get far into the castle because of the huge, yet deathly silent crowd gathering in the Great Hall. The same verse which was on the field was now on the wall, where all the students could read its green, glittering letters. Everyone was staring, their breaths held back. Then, Dumbledore appeared, and the crowd parted as he walked to the front of the room, right next to the omen. All eyes were on him.
"Everyone, I am afraid this is the message that was burned onto the Quidditch field a week ago. For those of you who remember when the Chamber of Secrets was opened, you can see that this message was made by more sophisticated means. It came from lightning, as you all remember (at this many heads turned toward Harry's direction as he tried to be nonchalant). Right now, there is magic of the most ancient kind being used, with its most primeval elements being used. This is much more serious than anything we have ever experienced. I must warn all of you to be extremely cautious. If what this omen says is true, then there is some source of unlimited power coming into existence. When put in the wrong hands, it could mean the end of everything. Everything. Until we find this all-powerful being, and her chosen one, I again urge all of you to be very careful. But don't panic. As long as I am headmaster of this school, no innocent person will be fatally hurt. I will make every conceivable effort to fight this evil. Of that, you may all be sure."
After his speech, Dumbledore left the Great Hall. Everyone had the same solemn demeanor as him, but as soon as he left, a burst of hushed, tense whispering filled the room. Suddenly Harry stopped and froze in his place as he heard a familiar drawl, although it was much quieter than usual, as if not supposed to be heard.
" Humph. Dumbledore acts like he doesn't know who it is. He already does, I assure you. Although I doubt he'll succeed. She'll have more, er, convincing forces leading her to her rightful path."
It was, of course, Draco Malfoy talking to another Slytherin. Apparently, Crabbe or Goyle were too slow to appreciate what he was saying. Harry tried to concentrate on hearing them while trying not to look at them the same time. Unfortunatley, Ron barged in at that moment.
" Can you believe what just happened, mate? Blimey, I wonder who is this all-powerful person, and who's the lucky guy that-"
"Shhh!" Harry held up his to shut him up, but Ron had been too loud. Malfoy turned and saw them.
"Didn't your mother ever tell you it's not polite to eavesdrop, Potter? Oh, I forgot, you never had one," he spat acidly. Apparently, he was upset that he had let Harry hear him.
"Not if the fate of the world is in stake. You probably know all about this, don't you? And hear you are, bragging about it, all thoroughly pleased," Hermione had seen Harry and had been silent until then.
"Hasn't it occurred to you that this might endanger everyone? Even you and your snobbish family?" Harry tried controlling his rage, but his hands were shaking.
Draco walked closer towards Harry, looked straight in his eyes and in a dangerously low voice said, " You should know by now, Potter, that nothing can endanger you, if you have the right connections. Why are you even worried? Famous, good Harry Potter, protector of all, will save the day as always," he gave a short, derisive laugh, "Only this time, you won't be able to."
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