Disclaimer: …grrr… I WISH I owned HP, yet I don't.

AN: Come on ppl, ya know ya wanna review!

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Chapter 15

The Magical Musical Seashell

Harry remember the seashell in his pocket and pulled it out.  He held it up to his ear and listened, but instead of hearing waves, he heard words.  Harry pressed harder on the shell so he could hear better:

                   Who ever finds this shell

                   I warn you, put me back

                   For if you keep me close,

                   Troubles will attack

                   I give a sweet melody

                   To the one who plays best

                   Those who try but don't succeed 

                   Await a troublesome rest

                   So take a breath, tune your voice

                   Get ready for a slumber

                   The one that doesn't sleep,

                   Must have the loneliest number

Harry pondered these words wondering if they gave a clue to something.  Harry thought of playing the shell, but he didn't know how to.  Did he have to say a password?  Did he have to do something strange?  Harry didn't know what he was supposed to do but he thought he should ask Krystal first, since the shell was hers.  As he shoved the shell into his pocket, the black ribbon fell out.  Harry figured the ribbon must belong to Krystal.  When he reached down to pick up the ribbon, he saw some words on the end of it.  The words read SIZE 1.  Harry thought maybe this was the magic number but he couldn't tell.

"Hey Potter, look what I've got.  My father sent me these rare stones all the way from Australia," Malfoy said with glee.  Harry stared at the gems in Malfoy's hand.

"This one's a crystal.  Bet you-"  Suddenly, the shell that Harry was holding started to glow.  Knobs and keys sprouted out from every angle.  Now the shell looked more like an instrument.

"Aaahhh!" Malfoy screamed and ran down the hall.  Harry wondered what had made the shell do that.  Now he could play it easily.  He had to get to the hospital wing to show Krystal…

"Wait," Harry said more to himself than out loud.  "Right after Malfoy said 'crystal,' that shell turned different.  Crystal is also the name of that girl I saved from the squid.  She has a number one on her hair ribbon, and one is the loneliest number.  Zero can't be right because no one is there, so they can't get lonely."  Harry raced off to the hospital wing.

"I'm sorry, dear.  Visiting hours are over," Madame Pomfrey told him went he got there.

"Please Madame Pomfrey, Harry saved my life.  If it wasn't for him, I wouldn't be here."  Harry knew that was Krystal's voice.  After begs and pleads from both children, Madame Pomfrey let Harry come in.

"Krystal, what does this shell do?"

"It plays music."

"What kind?"

"What ever tune you play, Harry."

"I see.  Have you listened to it?"

"Yes."

"Have you figured out the riddle yet?"

"Yes, Harry."

"So did I.  One is obviously the loneliest number.  When ever you say 'crystal' in front of it, it changes into an instrument.  Your name is Krystal and you have a number one on the back of your ribbon.  See?"

"Harry, one is the loneliest number, bur it's not my hair ribbon.  My name enables only me to be able to change it.  Back in the old days,  someone thought up 'Crystal' and gave it to the shell.  They thought who ever was named Crystal, would only be able to use it.  But they were only half right.  Anyone can play it, but only a girl named Krystal can open it.  The guy who came up with this was named Jarred Malfoy.  Any of his descendants can also open it.  The trick is to get what it means by 'you must have the loneliest number.'  All you have to do is play the song called 'One is the Loneliest Number.'"  She began to play the song on the seashell.  Harry listened to the sad but gentle song.