Chapter Seventy-Eight: Fearless
12.1.1997 (hey cool! New year!)
Harry sat in Potions class that Friday, fervently wishing that Snape was back in Voldemort's fortress and that Michael was back as Potions teacher. Snape was just as horrible as he had always been.
In this lesson, he was asking them to mix the Draught of the Living Death, and Harry remembered the humiliating set of questions that Snape had asked him in his first potions class ever. One of them had been to do wit the Draught, and he hardly thought it fair that they had never once covered it in class since that day.
None-the-less, Harry did what he could, thanking Michael in his mind for teaching him a lot about Potions over the summer, and his godfather, who had taught him in dreams.
By the lessons end, Snape seemed somewhat surprised when Harry brought up a vial of completed potion. "That should be a few shades darker, Potter," Snape informed him, quickly getting over his shock. "Only ninety per cent, I think… At least you didn't blow the room up instead, so maybe I should make that ninety-one."
Harry quivered with anger as he stalked out of the room. He'd forgotten just how much he disliked Snape … and just how much Snape disliked him.
You should be nicer, Sev, Lupin informed Severus coolly. He's got a lot of things going on without you insulting everything that he does, just because it's him doing it. I noticed that Draco Malfoy's potion was a lot lighter than Harry's, and you gave him full marks.
Leave me alone, Lupin. I am being a little bit nicer than I have been. Ninety per cent is the highest I've ever given him before.
And has he ever deserved full marks, Sev, and be honest! Lupin demanded harshly.
Once, maybe twice, Severus replied slowly, knowing where this was going already, but knowing that it was useless to try and lie to the dead werewolf.
And did he ever get that? No! He's trying, Sev, and he's doing better than a lot of the people in the class, now. You should loosen up.
Stop calling me Sev, Severus hissed angrily.
Only if you start giving Harry the marks that he deserves.
Not worth it, Severus decided.
Sev, Sev, Sev, Sev, Sev, Sev, Sev-
SHUT UP!
When you give Harry the marks he deserves. Sev, Sev, Sev, Sev, Sev, Sev-
FINE!
I knew you'd see things my way in time! Lupin said cheerily. You do have at least one nice bone in your body, Severus.
Severus Snape gave an annoyed growl and stalked out of the room, going to lunch before he had to go back to that stupid classroom and teach a bunch of idiotic first year Hufflepuffs.
You're being not-nice again, Lupin remarked.
I don't want to hear about Lupin. I've agreed to give the famous Boy Who Lived proper marks, I will not do anything else for you, no matter what you do, and if you start calling me 'Sev' again, I will go back on the agreement that you and I made, and return to giving Potter the dismal marks that put him in his place.
There was no reply from the werewolf, and Severus was confident that he'd asserted his authority and made sure that none of this would be discussed again.
"Come on," Harry said, having found his group of close friends in the library, let's go out and do some Quidditch practice – we've got a game soon, as you well know!"
"I'll find Gabrielle," Lily offered. Classes were over for the day now, and most people were settling down to do homework for the night. Gabrielle spent most of her time with the Beauxbatons students, so she wasn't present here today – the only one who wasn't.
"Thanks, we'll meet you down by the pitch," Harry replied, smiling his thanks at Lily and heading out. He needed to relax after Potions, and the whole team needed to practice if they wanted to be ready for the next game, which would be up in two weeks time. They were all ready to practice as much as they could, working around homework, classes, DA, and personal lives.
Harry felt that they were doing a rather good job, but their next opponents were to be a group of seventh year mix of Hogwarts and Beauxbatons students, and would probably be a little difficult to beat.
Blaise Zabini told Harry that the teams with Slytherins and Durmstrang students were practicing fairly hard as well, and that they were good. She didn't seem to have any qualms about 'betraying' her house, and, when asked, informed them that she wouldn't have necessarily told them about a Slytherin House team, but this wasn't the Slytherin House alone, against all others.
Harry understood this reasoning, though Ron still didn't trust her, and some of the other students didn't either. Blaise didn't seem to worry about this, since Harry trusted her, and she could win the other people's trust easily enough, in time.
Now Harry walked out onto the Quidditch Pitch, his Firebolt in hand and his face determined. He was going to win the next match too!
The rest of the team arrived quickly, and soon enough they were all up in the air and ready to practice.
"Harry? What are we doing?" Ernie asked.
"As normal," Harry replied.
The Chasers immediately went for the Quaffle
as Ron raced for the goal posts to try and get there before the Chasers threw
the Quaffle home.
The Bludgers and Snitch were both
loosed, and Harry took off, revelling, as he always did, the feel of the wind
screaming around him, the exhilarating knowledge that only the broomstick was
keeping him from death, the easy way that he knew how to control the
broomstick, and therefore his own movements.
Looping gracefully, he felt the play of the wind, heard the scream of the Bludgers as they cut through the gale, the dull thwacks of the Beaters, Lily and Ernie, hitting the balls where they wanted them to go.
The two weeks before the game passed quickly, Harry kept up with his studies as best as he was able, and was surprised to find himself getting moderately high marks in Potions.
Voldemort was moving now. He thought that Dumbledore was completely out of the way, and that the Wizarding world, without either of its leaders, would now be an easy target.
But Genevieve didn't seem to think so, and neither did Alastor Moody … Or Minerva McGonagall.
Voldemort was making easy targets of most small Wizarding settlements, but the majority of the Wizarding world was holding out still.
The morning before the Quidditch game, Minerva, who wanted to speak with them in the Headmistress's office, called Harry and Tatsu away from their morning practice at Kendo.
"Yes, Minerva?" Tatsu asked, as they arrived.
"Tatsu, I need you, and possibly Harry, to do me, and the rest of the Magical world, a huge favour," Minerva wasted no time in getting to the point.
Tatsu didn't seem at all surprised. "What do you need?" he asked.
"I need you to help me extend the Hogwarts wards," Minerva said, slowly. "To include Hogsmeade."
"Quite an ask – why me and Harry?" Tatsu still didn't allow himself to feel shocked, and Harry wasn't sure what was going on.
"Because you are Modifiers," Minerva replied. "The wards must be as strong as possible, and besides, as far as I am aware, the original spells were lost not long after the making of Hogwarts."
"They were," most of the pictures on the wall, agreed, nodding.
"I see," Tatsu said slowly. "Well, it's not Harry that you'll be wanting to help me with the wards. Harry isn't strong enough to be able to manage something of that magnitude, and neither am I, alone."
Harry wasn't offended by Tatsu's dismissal of his abilities. He knew that they weren't strong – he could hardly manage to change a stunning curse, and if Tatsu couldn't do something on his own, Harry had no chance of helping him.
Professor McGonagall slumped slightly. "I was hoping that you wouldn't say that … there isn't enough room in Hogwarts to bring all of the people here. The magical world needs a place where they can hide from what is going on!"
"I never said it was impossible," Tatsu said sternly. "I just said that it was impossible for Harry to do, or for me to do alone. We are not the only modifiers in the world, you know."
"You mean you can do something?"
"Yes, I'll have to get some friends of mine though … It may take awhile, they have their own things to do. But they should be willing to help me out," Tatsu said slowly, thinking.
"How long could it take?"
"At best, a few hours, at worst a month," Tatsu replied. "I'll get on it straight away."
"If you need any help, all the resources at Hogwarts are, of course, available to you, and Genevieve will do her best to give you the Ministry's support … But don't count on much from there, she's only just managing to keep them from panicking."
"I am aware of the situation," Tatsu assured her. "Harry, you may have go about your training without me for some time."
"I know," Harry replied. "It's more important that you do this, anyway."
"Knew you'd understand. Minerva, if we may take our leave?"
"Yes, yes of course."
Harry and Tatsu separated at the bottom of the staircase, Harry turning to head in the direction of the grounds, and Tatsu going back to the Room of Requirement.
Harry had not seen Grypis in some time, and though he knew that the griffin was in the forest, consorting with his own kind, and the other magical creatures, he would appreciate his friend's wisdom in the face of Voldemorts increased movements.
On the way passed, he waved to Hagrid, who had been in and out of Hogwarts for most of the year, visiting Madam Maxine in France, and trying to convince the giants to join the light. Some of them were willing, and there seemed to be a lot of fights over leadership.
As usual, Hagrid bore more than a few wounds from his association with his brother. Grawp had been moved from Hogwarts because no one could be sure if he would attack or not, but, from what Hagrid said, the giant was 'improving'.
But right now Harry didn't have time to go and chat with his friend, wanting to find Grypis, and hear what he'd been up to.
He waved his acknowledgement when Hagrid called out to be careful in the forest, especially if it came to centaurs, who were still not too keen on humans.
Once he was surrounded by the forest trees, Harry entered his Centre, so as he could be sure to sense anything coming up on him. "Grypis?" he sent out, hoping his friend would respond. He knew that if the distance was great, it was possible that the griffin wouldn't.
Faint, an answer returned not long after. "Gryfas? Where are you?"
"Near the edge of the forest, by Hagrid's place," Harry said, thinking of his surroundings and hoping that Grypis could read his thoughts and see it.
"I come," Grypis said, and Harry could feel that his voice was stronger. "Come no further, the forest is not safe for humans now. When I am with you, you will be fine."
"I will wait," Harry assured.
He sat down on a log by the path, and did just that, keeping as still as possible, and slowing his breathing so that it would not be easily detectable.
While he waited, he listened to the sounds in the forest around him, and noted that there was something fairly large not too far away. He hoped that it wasn't dangerous, and if it was, that it didn't know where he was.
The creature came closer with a snuffling sound, as if it was following a scent and disturbing the ground while it looked for said scent.
A moment later a small canine creature came out of the bushes near where Harry was seated. It was overturning the leaf-litter, apparently searching for a scent.
It appeared to be no more than a puppy, and was completely white. It looked up once, and Harry caught a glimpse of gentle silvery eyes. It must be some form of magical creature.
He also quickly decided that it was more of a wolf than a dog, and had traces of a thick neck-ruff that it would wear when it matured. Large feet planted firmly on the ground, tail not-quite wagging, the creature didn't seem to notice Harry.
It kept up with following its scent around the clearing, and Harry was beginning to get worried. In his mind, he felt Grypis getting nearer, and reached out along the mental connection. "Grypis, do you know what this creature is?" Harry asked, showing the griffin a memory of the said creature.
He could feel Grypis's surprise. "That, Gryfas, is one of the most light-bound creatures in the world. They are generally invisible, and only a precious few wizards have ever managed to see one. It has long been thought that they were extinct. I knew they weren't thought," Grypis sounded somewhat smug about this.
"That doesn't answer my question. What is it?" Harry demanded impatiently.
"It doesn't have a name, save the name it gives itself," Grypis replied with dignity. "And that is in it's own language, which no one can understand, unless it lets them."
"Is it OK?" Harry asked.
"I already said that it was one of the most light-bound creatures in the world," Grypis pointed out. "Even more so than griffins or unicorns. No one knows what allows one person to see them, and another to not."
Harry broke the contact, since the tantalising bits of information were annoying him, just as the creature in front of him looked up, silvery eyes connecting directly with Harry's.
Harry blinked, for the power in the creatures gaze was something that he could not help but fear. Then the fear drained away, and the little creature gave a soft bark, padding over to sit down in front of Harry.
Harry found that he could not look away from those eyes, but at the same time, he felt no fear at all. Only peace. Finally, the creature stood up, placed its two front paws on Harry's knees and licked his forehead once, before jumping backwards and disappearing into the undergrowth and Grypis appeared from above, in full griffin form.
"I watched through your eyes," Grypis informed Harry. "You are very lucky for it to acknowledge you."
"Why?" Harry asked, this time aloud.
"Because by meeting your eyes, it's own magic reached within you and destroyed all of your fear. You cannot fear any longer, Gryfas, for yourself or for others. I do not fully understand it. You can worry, certainly, but fear is gone, forever."
"How is that possible?" Harry demanded, confused.
"I don't know," the griffin replied. "It just is. The same thing happened with the last person, a witch, who saw one of these creatures. She never feared again. I do not know about the others."
"Oh … Is there anyone who'd know?"
"No."
"Damn. Are you ready to come back yet?"
"Yes, I am. I have been coming in this direction for several days now, but it has always been too far away for me to actually contact you," Grypis replied. "I know about what has happened though, and that Dumbledore is not dead, but gone from the Wizarding World anyway."
"Good," Harry replied. "That saves my explaining. Come on, let's go back up to the castle."
Grypis resumed his small cat form, and jumped up to Harry's shoulder, digging small claws into the fabric. Harry winced slightly, because he wasn't wearing the leather pad that had previously protected him from Grypis's claws.
"Tell as few as you can about your newly given ability, Gryfas. It is not safe for all to know that you have received such a blessing – most would become envious."
"Yes Grypis, I'll be careful," Harry assured him.
"You should return to mind-speak," the griffin informed him sternly. "I would rather that you weren't overheard."
"Of course – sorry."
"There is nothing to be sorry for. Just be careful."
Harry nodded slightly and continued his walk to the castle, remembering something from long ago, back in his third year. Remus, as Professor Lupin, had said something then.
"It would appear that what you fear, is fear itself… very wise, Harry."
"That was true, back then, but you relearnt fear in the two years following. Now it is gone completely," Grypis stated.
Harry Potter – the Fearless … it had a nice ring to it, Harry decided.
***
There! 2800 words, so not quite as long as the last one, but oh well! I hope
you liked it! Not sure where that last scene came from, I hadn't even thought
of it until then. Oh well. Apologies for lack of update – I've been trying! But
my modem decided to die on the two days that I couldn't get a replacement, so
it's not really my fault, and I did try!
Also, sorry about the current inability for me to send an update notice – I'm not on my normal computer (staying at a different house for the next three nights) and any updates over the next 3 days will not have alerts from me – sorry.
Thanks to:
Kraeg001, TuxedoMac, sola, Musicstarlover, Wytil, Jaypallas, uNoeWho, misty43, Goldengirl2, luny, Chick Stars, torifire126, athenakitty, Wynjara, SWAC, Dumbledave, AnimeGurl, MiakaChan5, Songbreeze Swifteye, jbfritz, greatestofthefour, harryluvzginny, ADJ, Harry_Potter_Rule, kia, Jaded Angel8, Romm, AnnabelleLeigh, ILOVETOWRITE456, Lildrummergirl, Professor Zodiac, dnd4ever, Sirius24, fcuking cathy, Xyverz, Nasser Himura, Maxx77, steven, Professor Zodiac, dragonsile, harryluvzginy, Ted M. Hammett, Professor Zodiac, Professor Zodiac, Butler, Haunting Darkness, Malfoy11717, Lady Reaper of the Shadows, MikiBaby, Lady Prongs, PhoenixTearsp322, Sasinak, ladyhawk, OhioGrl-HPFan, Shea Loner, Telpesir.
AnimeGurl: Centre is center, just in the Australian spelling, so it isn't an error as such.
Jaded Angel8: It's time to start exercising that thing we used to talk about – patience. The sword will come about in due course. It will not be forgotten, I assure you.
Lildrummergirl, and All Titles Which Do Apply,
We thank thee for taking some of thy time to review Our story, it is always appreciated. We quite agree with thee on the word camaraderie, and since it merely means friendship, we do not understand why it should be used over friendship in the first place … Oh well, it is not Our place to understand, We suppose. We are happy to remark that We DID get 27 out of 30 in Our maths test, and look forward to a History test in a few weeks time. We are constantly amazed that We manage to achieve to sound as if We know what We are talking about when speaking of martial arts – We must confess, We have never studied, nor participated in any form of martial arts, and are merely going by feel. We will get around to studying it closer … one day.
Sincerely,
~WolfMoon~
Lady Death,
Queen of Tenebralia,
Goddess of Darkness and Evilness.